A Safe Place to Belong in the New Year

“No, I don’t want that!” Amelia* shouted as she pushed the plate of food away.

In the past, this would have been met with raised voices. Amelia grew up in a home where shouting, slammed doors, and hurtful words were part of everyday life.

Everything changed when Amelia was placed with her foster parents, Jason* and Rebecca*.

That evening, instead of walking away, they stayed. They sat beside her, showing Amelia in quiet ways, that she mattered and that she was safe.

Adjusting to a new home was not easy. Having never known consistent care, Amelia tested boundaries and pushed them away. Yet Jason and Rebecca responded with patience, understanding, and unwavering love. Slowly, Amelia began to experience something new: safe relationships.

As her fostering social worker shared,

“Before relationships can be repaired and a child can heal, they must first experience the warmth of safety—a journey that often starts in the loving care of a foster family.”

Today, while challenges remain, Amelia is learning to trust again. The stability of her foster home is giving her the emotional safety she needs, so healing can begin.

This Lunar New Year, as we celebrate renewal, reunion, and hope, we invite you to be part of a child’s new beginning. Together, let us welcome the new year by giving a child the gift of safety, healing, and hope.

Dr Roland Yeow

Executive Director

*Not their real names

“不！我不想吃！” 阿米莉娅*带着情绪地喊道，便将桌上的食物推走。

在阿米莉娅成长的家中，父母的谩骂与摔门离去都是她习以为常的待遇。以往这样的行为都会招来父母的斥骂。

然而，当阿米莉娅被安置在寄养父母杰森*和丽贝卡*家中后，一切都随之改变。

那天，寄养父母没有离开，而是选择安静地待在阿米莉娅的身旁。他们用行动让阿米莉娅体验到安静的力量，并且让她感受到自己被珍视。他们的陪伴让阿米莉娅知道，此刻的她是安全的。

要适应新环境并不容易。由于从未在亲身父母身上得到过稳定的关爱，阿米莉娅一直在试探寄养父母的底线，并且不愿意对他们敞开心怀。然而， 杰森和丽贝卡以耐心、理解和坚定不移的爱来回应阿米莉亚小心翼翼的试探。渐渐地，阿米莉娅开始体会到一个健康、安全的关系应该有的样子。

她的寄养服务社工分享道：

“在关系得以修复、儿童得以疗愈之前，他们首先需要体验安全感带来的情感温暖，而这通常始于寄养家庭的关爱。”

直至今日，尽管仍然面临挑战，阿米莉娅正在重新学会信任他人。寄养家庭的稳定环境为她提供了所需要的情感安全，从而让她的疗愈之旅得以开始。

在这新春佳节之际，让我们一同迎接新的开始、团聚的喜悦与希望的光芒。儿童城诚挚邀请您，成为儿童们新生活的一部分。让我们携手为儿童们托起一片安全与希望的天空。

在此祝愿您春风得意好兆头，阖家团圆笑开颜。

姚挺楠

儿童城执行董事

*化名