The Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks

FBCYICN is a youth driven, provincial, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people in and from care in BC between the ages of 14 and 24. We were created in 1993 by young people in care!

For us, “in care“, means having accessed services from the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Delegated Aboriginal Agencies anytime between the ages 0-19 and includes: foster homes, group homes, child and youth mental health services, addiction facilities, custody centers, youth agreements, independent living, extended family placements, or experiencing homelessness. Those receiving services from Community living BC any time between 0-24 are also qualify for membership and access our programs and services.

Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks

Phone: 604-527-7762
Toll-Free: 1-800-565-8055
Email: info@fbcyicn.ca
Website: ​www.fbcyicn.ca

Voices: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network

Voices: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network provides support, encouragement, and advocacy to young people in and from care in Manitoba.  We come alongside youth while they are in care, as they transition to in(ter)dependence, and as they grow into adults pursuing their goals.  We are youth-driven and youth-focused.

We raise awareness of the challenges youth-in-care face, educating the public and working with child welfare professionals to create a better system of care in Manitoba.  Improving living conditions for children and youth who find themselves in alternative care, such as foster homes, group homes, and independent living programs.

Our programs and activities are open to all youth in & from care 12 to 30 years old. We have a growing youth membership comprised of the many cultures and ethnicities that reside in Manitoba.

Voices: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network

Phone: 204-982-4956
Email: info@voices.mb.ca
Website: ​www.voices.mb.ca

New Brunswick Youth in Care Network

The New Brunswick Youth In Care Network (NBYICN) is made up of a collection of youth and young adults from all over New Brunswick whose goal is to unite people who understand what it’s like to be in care. We strive to provide a sense of belonging and to empower youth in care throughout the province.

Our network is always looking for new members. If you or someone you know is from care, contact us to find out how to get involved. Our goal is to establish a presence throughout the province, but we can’t do it without your help. For more info on how you or someone you know can get involved, contact us.

​Partners For Youth Inc.

535 Beaverbrook Ct., Suite B-10

Fredericton, NB

E3B 1X6

Phone: 506 462 0323

Fax: 462 0328

Website: www.partnersforyouth.ca

The Voice: The Youth in Care Newsletter Project

The Youth in Care Newsletter Project engages youth in care and youth on income assistance, 14 to 19 years old, in creating their own Newsletter, The Voice. Participants are referred by social workers, group homes, foster parents, therapists, and other youth.

Sandy MacDonald
Director, Youth in Care Newsletter Project

Youth Voices of Nova Scotia Society

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Phone: (902) 422-8476
E-mail: youthnewsletter@ns.sympatico.ca
Website: www.youthnewsletter.net

Youth in Care Ontario

Young people who grew up in the care of the Ontario government met this past July to launch a new non-profit, provincial organization called Youth in Care Ontario (YICO). The focus of this independent, youth-led organization is to provide much needed opportunities for youth in and from care so they can connect and provide support to each other by sharing their ideas and their lived experiences, and to identify opportunities to positively influence the Ontario child welfare system.

This announcement comes after a year of planning and consultations led by Youth in Care Canada (YICC) and Ontario’s Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. Focus groups were held in a number of cities involving several hundred youth and key child welfare stakeholders were consulted. The YICO founding group includes youth who have been in care of Children’s Aid Societies in Toronto, Windsor, Sarnia, North Bay, Ottawa, Highland Shores, Peel, Renfrew County, Huron-Perth, Durham region and York region.

Vision Statement: An Ontario that values and supports children and youth in and from care.

Mission Statement: YICO strives to improve outcomes for children and youth in and from care through an independent network.

Mandate

• Connect children and youth in and from to each other as well as to resources and opportunities.
• Influence child welfare practice, policy, perspectives and programming through various methods.
• Collaborate with children and youth in and from care and the sectors that affect them, to improve accountability and transparency.
• Educate the larger public about diverse lived experiences of child and youth in and from care.

Carleen Joseph
Youth in Care Canada
223 Main Street, Box 96
Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4
(613) 327-4317

Ontario Youth Community Advocacy Network

YouthCAN is a multi-component program for youth in care of Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario, and Children’s Aid staff who work with them. The functions of YouthCAN are facilitated by the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.Ontario YouthCAN is the unifying voice for youth in care of Children’s Aid Societies in the province, is dedicated to improving the quality of care for youth in Ontario’s Child Welfare System so that they are empowered, secure and able to realize their fullest potential.

​YouthCAN (Ontario Youth Communication Advocacy Network)

Phone: 416-987-7725
Website: www.ontarioyouthcan.org

Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody NETWORK

SYICCN is a non-profit organization that advocates and supports Youth, aged 14 – 24, in or from foster care/young offender systems. Located in Regina, the SYICCN is mandated to help set up local ‘networks’ throughout Saskatchewan and develop strategies that empower youth in and from the system.

Youth who are currently in or from the foster care system/young offender custody are the primary participants of the youth in care network. The SYICCN works towards a goal for educational development and healthy nourishment in the lives of these young people through educational workshops, speaking panels, youth run projects, recreational and other activities and positive peer support. Alongside this we aid in the development of youth run support groups-local “youth in care/custody networks” across Saskatchewan.

At a deeper level, the SYICCN mandate sees to it that youth in care and/or custody are able to find their voices within the system(s), and to encourage them to speak out on issues and services in the system based on their own experiences. The SYICCN strives to offer services to all of Saskatchewan’s youth in care and/or custody by working closely with regional departments of social services, the foster families association and many other youth friendly agencies. Many of our adult supporters come from these professions. Most of all we are a “by youth, for youth” organization. All of our members, staff, and some of our volunteers are people who are currently in or have had experience with child welfare, foster care, and young offender systems.

Our guiding principles encourage youth to assume positive roles in their lives and in their communities. The SYICCN strives to accomplish these goals through peer mentoring, adult support, fairness, fun, and friendship.

Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network Inc.

Cornwall Professional Building
510-2125 11th Ave.
Regina, SK S4P 3X3

Tel: 1.306.522.1533
Fax: 1.306.522.1507
Toll Free Youth Line: 1.888.528.8061
Website: www.syiccn.ca
Email: info@syiccn.ca

Care Jeunesse

Centre Amitié, Ressources et Entraide pour la Jeunesse (C.A.R.E Jeunesse) is a provincial, bilingual non-profit organization founded by alumni of care that provides support to youth in care and alumni from care in Quebec.

C.A.R.E Jeunesse was created to improveand empowerment opportunities. The organization connects youth to resources, examines policies related to youth in care and offers training and consultation to professionals on the issues relevant to youth in care.

C.A.R.E Jeunesse offers support to youth and alumni from all child protection placements, including but not limited to foster homes, group homes and a range of residential centres. C.A.R.E Jeunesse is widely inclusive and welcomes members from all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, religions, genders, sexual orientations and ethnicities.

​Vision Statement
“Providing a voice and a community in Quebec for youth and alumni from care”.

​Values Statement
C.A.R.E Jeunesse is proud to operate within the following core values:

• Community
• Autonomy
• Inclusiveness
• Empowerment
• Advocacy
• Respect

​www.carejeunesse.com the quality of life in care by providing a safe environment for members to connect and form supportive relationships as well as providing advocacy, education.