Terry Aivaliotis is the founder and general manager of Allbrite Glass & Tint a local business of 18 years employing over 10 employees. 

He was also a foster child.

Eventually my mom found an apartment.  But it was apparent she was getting sick - she would sit on the couch staring in a daze for weeks. During these times, we were not being properly fed or cared for... we survived as kids; stealing food, toys from Hi-Way Market and coming home late from the downtown arcades or being dropped off by the police was a normal occurance. I was banned from Fairview Park Mall for fighting.  Getting into mischief with teenagers was my typical childhood at 6 years old.

I clearly remember 32 years ago, three ladies with long, beige boots visiting our home, interviewing my mother in our apartment. These ladies were social workers from Family and Children’s Services (FCS). Six months later on a November, snowy day at Howard Robertson Public School, my brother, sister and I were called to the office over the PA system. There they were… the same three ladies that had visited our home so many times. I was scared!! They explained that our mother had been taken to a London psychiatric hospital and that we will be taken into the care of the Family and Children’s Services. My older brother,  who better understood what was going on, was irate in fear of being taken away, he tried to run away, but fell on the ice while one of the social workers caught up to him.

We all got in the car and traveled to the Weinstein’s family receiving home in the village of St Agatha.  This was the beginning of my journey in foster homes.

Moving into foster care gave me a fair chance at a structured life. A life that has been full of a lot of great people involved in FCS, from social workers to foster parents and other special individuals I met along the way. These people gave me hope, encouraged me to believe in myself and to dream of a better life.

It hasn't been easy, but life is not easy. Family and Children’s Services game me an opportunity and hope. They gave me a fighting chance which we are so fortunate to have in this Country.

I learned a lot as a kid with the help of FCS and now I am prepared to support this great organization and all the good work they do for our community. I believe it all starts with our kids who are the future presidents and business leaders of our world.

Now 33 years later, I have been blessed with a beautiful family of my own and a successful business. I am honoured to be a part of the Allbrite Chip In Fore Kids Golf Tournament and to help give back to the people and the organization who made my life possible.

I hope my story will help to inspire you to reach out and help a child in need, either by participating in the golf tournament, volunteering, becoming a foster parent or making a donation.

Terry Aivaliotis