In 2020, A Better Life For Foster Kids was proud to celebrate a major milestone in its mission to improve lives through foster care advocacy. Our founder, Heather Baird, received national recognition as an LG Local Legend, honouring her tireless work supporting children in out-of-home care and the carers who stand beside them.
This moment of acknowledgment came during a particularly challenging week—one spent advocating for a child in crisis. To have that effort recognised so publicly reminded us all of the importance of staying the course and never losing sight of why this work matters.
Heather Baird Named LG Local Legend
Heather’s recognition as an LG Local Legend by LG Australia was a proud moment not only for her but for everyone involved in A Better Life For Foster Kids. This initiative celebrated everyday Australians creating positive change in their communities—and Heather’s leadership in foster care advocacy made her a standout nominee.
The honour highlighted the urgent work being done by our small but passionate team: delivering Crisis Cases, supporting foster and kinship carers, and pushing for systemic reform.
Featured in the Gippsland Times
That same week, the Gippsland Times published a feature article on Heather and the work of ABLFFK. The piece outlined Heather’s personal experience growing up in care and how it fuels her drive to fight for change.
The article also spotlighted our plans to expand from three Crisis Case depots to fifteen across Victoria—an ambitious goal that would allow us to provide essential items to every child entering care in the state.
Additionally, it shared news of the upcoming launch of Foster Kids and Carers United Ltd, a new public company aimed at offering pro bono legal support for carers advocating on behalf of children. It marked another bold step forward in our ongoing foster care advocacy efforts.
A Community Effort
Recognition like this doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s a reflection of the collective support from volunteers, donors, and community members who make our work possible. Every phone call, every Crisis Case packed, and every dollar donated contributes to the change we are fighting for.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support and proud to see the importance of foster care advocacy being recognised and shared with a wider audience.