A 17-year-old girl smiled as she lay in the snow waving her arms up and down and swinging her legs from side to side to make a snow angel in front of the Parliament buildings on Monday.
The act, although simple, was her way of saying thanks to the family she's come to know and love. While she does not live with her own family, her foster family has given her more than just a roof to live under.
"I still consider family my biological family, but the foster family I have is the closest thing I've ever had to a family," said Maggie.
Snowy demonstration
Snow angels lined the snow-covered lawn of Parliament Hill on Monday, drawing attention to the "guardian angels" who care for about 3,200 children and youth who rely on foster care in eastern Ontario.
The kids, unable to live at home due to family problems, turn to government agencies to find them a stable home.
"We know it's hard to measure success, but we know in the long-term children are better off," said foster parent Peter Fortier. "We will continue doing it."
While there are many like Fortier who open their homes to children in need, 100 foster families in Ottawa are still needed.
Ontario announces funding
The demonstration on the Hill comes as the province announced $22.5 million in funding for Ontario's Children's Aid Societies.
Staff at the Ottawa agency said the money is essential to continue giving children access to the resources they need.
"The major cost for Children's Aid Societies is cost of care," said Barbara MacKinnon.
Children's Aid Societies across Ontario recently started laying off staff and considered cuts to deal with a $67-million shortfall.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee
