In 1999, Brandon and his brother Sean entered foster care at just five and eight years old respectively. They still carry the memories of those early days: the quiet confusion and the very real fear of being “relocated”, a heavy reality for many children too young to understand the “why”, but old enough to feel the world shifting beneath them.
A Home That Changed Everything
That uncertainty began to fade the moment they met Paul and Marlene, their foster parents. The brothers remember the warm welcome they received and how quickly their fear was replaced by a sense of safety and love. Paul and Marlene offered more than just a house, they offered a stable, welcoming home. They encouraged the brothers to grow their confidence through hockey, music, camping, or any pursuit they loved, showing what’s possible when a child has a parent who believes in them.
Giving Back to the Next Generation
With the new beginning, the brothers thrived. Supported by the Hope For Children scholarship, Brandon pursued his studies in Public Health and is now a firefighter in the Ottawa region. His brother, Sean, is an accomplished software engineer. This year, they have decided to donate and establish the Middaugh Scholarship Fund, in partnership with the CCAF, to give back to other young people like themselves.
“We lived what these youth are going through,” Brandon shares. “We know how it feels to have to leave your first home. We want these young people to know that they are capable and that a strong community stands behind them.”
Paul and Marlene gave Brandon and Sean something life-changing: a stable home, encouragement, and the belief that their futures were full of possibility. Today, the brothers are carrying that legacy forward by supporting other youth in care.