A look back at 1993...
September 30, 2009
In 1993, the NYICN proudly announced the release of alumni Brian Raychaba's second publication, Pain, Lots of Pain: Family Violence and Abuse in the Lives of Young People In Care. This research study closely examines the experiences of young people who had entered the child welfare system as a result of family violence. It also questions the treatment services that existed at the time.
Dr. Fred Matthews, long time supporter of the National Youth In Care Network, shared the impact this publication had on his work,
Pain, Lots of Pain...I took that book with me everywhere I went. It was [a] powerful, first account of the experiences of young people in care. This book is as current and fresh today as it was when it was first released.
Also in this year, Dianah Smith was hired as National Development Officer. For nearly one year she worked alone and somehow managed to balance administrative and project activities. While Dianah is credited for having developed many local youth in care networks across Canada, she shared that it was no longer reasonable to continue running the organization with temporary co-directorships and sometimes, only one person to do it all. Because of her experience, and the history of the Network, Dianah proposed a healthier structure.
In 1994, the NYICN changed the staffing complement once again to include a National Development Officer (a former youth from care age 18 - 24) and a National Director. Policies were changed to open up the ND role to those not from care and without any upper age limit.
