Celebrating a Half-Century of Caring:
FACS Honours Betsy Witteveen for More than 50 Years of Fostering

“They fulfilled my life.”

That’s how Betsy Witteveen, FACS Niagara’s longest serving foster parent, characterized the hundreds of children she has cared for in her 50 years of service to the community.

Betsy began her fostering career in Peterborough back in 1966. Originally, she aspired to become a nurse, but the opportunity to care for vulnerable children quickly became her calling in life. Betsy and her family relocated to a farm in West Lincoln in 1978 where she continued her fostering journey with FACS Niagara. In addition to her fostering, Betsy also raised seven children of her own, which includes two adopted sons.

Now, after more than 50 years of caring for well over 200 infants, young children, and teenagers, Betsy’s embarked on a well-earned retirement in 2026. On April 17, FACS Niagara brought together Betsy’s family, friends, and community leaders to say a heartfelt thanks for everything she’s done to improve the lives of young people.

“My mom gave her heart and soul to this calling,” said Betsy’s son Albert Witteveen, who also serves as the Regional Councillor for West Lincoln.

“She worked hand in hand with the agency to get the best results for children in care. My mom has and will continue to inspire others to take on this valuable role in society.”

FACS Niagara CEO Anna Bozza also noted the importance of Betsy’s leadership and the example she’s set.

“At a time when the world can feel quite heavy, celebrating people like Betsy remind us that hope is alive and well in Niagara. For more than 50 years, Betsy has shown us the meaning of unconditional love.”

Sam Oosterhoff, the MPP for Niagara West and Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries, represents Betsy’s home community of West Lincoln. He said that the love Betsy gave to these young people will impact them their entire lives.

“I can’t begin to imagine the amount of lives that you’ve directly touched, but also indirectly, because all of those people who you open your heart and your home to, who you serve with love and with compassion and with the heart of care, those people also seek to emulate that.”

No matter where they go, “they will be carrying a little part of Betsy Witteveen with them,” said MPP Oosterhoff.

West Lincoln Mayor Cheryl Ganann drew on her 34 years of experience as an elementary educator to describe the impact that Betsy has had on the children who’ve been in her care.

“It is that kind of support, the stability that those children are offered by their foster parent that really helps them to be successful in a school setting as well. From that perspective, I really want to offer my thanks to Betsy.”

The Mayor of Thorold has been a consistent supporter of Family and Children’s Services Niagara over the years. The city has been involved in the agency’s biggest fundraiser, Mountainview LemonAID Day for FACS Niagara, from the beginning. When Mayor Ugulini became aware of this once in a lifetime achievement, he wanted to add his voice to the chorus of well wishers.

“It is my honour to congratulate Betsy Witteveen in recognition of 50 years of providing compassionate foster care to children with FACS Niagara, with sincere appreciation for your unwavering commitment, dedication, and positive impact.”

Although Betsy’s pace of life is changing, she is already finding ways to be helpful in another capacity. “She’s already volunteered to assist us with recruiting new foster parents and helping train our team. I know she’s taking care of those people in her new community because kindness and giving aren’t a job for Betsy. It’s who Betsy is. She’s such an inspiration,” said Anna Bozza.

While she appreciated that so many people took time to recognize her, Betsy said that she received as much from the journey as she gave to others.

“Those babies really gave me the love. I did my best to give it to them, but they made me feel important and they made me feel like I had a purpose in life.”