For more than 20 years Colin and Janice Skillin have opened their home to foster children and not once have they thought of giving it up.
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September 14 to 20 is Foster Care Week, a week that honours the essential role played by foster carers in the community.
The Skillins, who live at Bogan Gate, are two of many providing care to children in need.
Ms Skillin said she and her husband have cared for about 120 foster children during the past two decades.
"We love children and we love to be there for them," she said.
"These children are our own as far as we're concerned."
The couple have provided care for children for a night, weekend or their entire childhood since they first cared for nine-year-old Peter and seven-year-old Tom.
"I truly believe we were put on this earth to do this, I mean if we didn't where would these children be?" Ms Skillin said.
"We're just there because of the children."
Although she said it is hard to only be in the children's lives for a short time, Ms Skillin said it's more important to ensure the children aren't stressed when they leave.
"After the first couple you get used to it and you learn to let go."
Ms Skillin said the best moments during the past 20 years has been seeing what the children have achieved.
She said she would only recommend becoming a foster parent to those whose hearts are completely committed.
In NSW 17,800 children are unable to live at home.
Managing Director of Lifestyle Solutions, a non-government agency that facilitates foster care, David Hogg said a great number of the children end up in care because of abuse or neglect.
"We need ordinary people to do extraordinary things for these children.
"Becoming a foster carer gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in the child's life. It enables you to become part of a local team providing quality care to children and young people that will have a life-long impact."
