Kids in Care ACT exists to assist and support vulnerable, at-risk or disadvantaged children living in the ACT and neighboring regional NSW.

Kids in Care ACT was established just prior to Christmas 2013 when ACT Police attended an emergency call, finding four neglected children under the age of seven. They had nothing but the clothes on their backs and were obviously not going to have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in the way that every child is entitled to experience.

After passing the hat around back at the station, and with the support of a number of very generous individual and corporate supporters, these children were given a Christmas morning that they will never forget. In fact, there were so many toys and gifts left over, that the ACT Child and Youth Protection Service (now Children, Youth & Families) were approached. Only then did we realise the magnitude of the problem here in the ACT with the number of children living in emergency or out-of-home care.

Kids in Care ACT was then born to support all vulnerable, at-risk and disadvantaged children in our region, initially to ensure that they all experienced a wonderful Christmas. Today, we support over 1,000 children throughout the year, both directly and indirectly, through the relevant government agencies, Domestic Violence Centres, Women’s Refuges and Indigenous Support Groups. This includes chocolates eggs at Easter, one-off gifts/gift cards and passes to cinemas and local attractions for special milestone events in the child’s life, Go Bags (care packs) for children going into emergency care, back-to-school support, and so on.

The volunteer Board enjoys strong community support, with every dollar raised going to the children. While it is disappointing to see the level of assistance needed for vulnerable children in our region growing each year, we are encouraged with the level of support we receive from our very generous donors and sponsors.