Helping youth reach their goals 2019/20 Annual Report
Helping youth achieve their full potential means a brighter, better future for everyone. By valuing all young people’s unique attributes and perspectives, we can more effectively address the issues facing our communities and celebrate our collective and individual strengths and contributions. Supporting the vital role youth who have been in BC government care or in the care […]
A more equitable future for Indigenous former youth in care – $600K for 2021 Youth Futures Education Fund
Driving almost 170 round trip along the rugged inland highway between Port Alberni and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island three to four times a week to pursue a university degree while raising two young children is what determination to succeed and to be an example for others looks like. “I am doing my best to break […]
Strength and perseverance key to success
Nat has a passion for health and fitness, weightlifting in particular. He can deadlift over 400 pounds! “It’s just another way for me to test my strength and my limits,” Nat says. Much of Nat’s life has been about strength and perseverance. Several years ago, Nat faced his mother’s abrupt hospitalization, an event leading him to be […]
A passion for education and life helps build art therapy career
Twenty-seven-year-old Sage is a Ceramics student at Selkirk College’s Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson in Southeastern BC. As a former youth in care, she held off pursuing post-secondary education for many years. “When it came to college and university, I kind of freaked out. School is so expensive, it didn’t seem like a realistic option for me,” she says. Along with […]
On track for success – United Way invests unprecedented $350K to support youth
Nineteen-year-old Jodi loves school. She’s learning new things, meeting new people and planning for a bright future as she pursues her degree through the Child and Youth Care program at Douglas College in New Westminster. It was something that was almost unimaginable for her as a child. “I knew when we had no food. I […]
Emergency funding helps former foster children stay in school during COVID-19
When Emilianna’s roommate moved out during COVID-19, she was left to cover the full cost of her rent. The comedy club she worked at also closed at the same time. As a former youth in government care who is now studying Social Work at Douglas College, Emilianna doesn’t have the safety net of her parents […]
Help for young adults on AYA during COVID-19
The Ministry of Children and Family Development has developed emergency measures regarding the 48-month time limit on the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) Program. The intention of these measures is to prevent young adults currently on AYA from having to draw down from their 48-month time limit of AYA support due to any program interruptions […]
$600,000 now available for former B.C. youth in care, from the Youth Futures Education Fund
Hundreds of B.C. youth formerly in government care are receiving money when they need it most, thanks to the Youth Futures Education Fund.
From foster care to med school – $150k investment to help more youth follow their dreams
From foster care to medical school – United Way of the Lower Mainland’s $150,000 investment in YFEF will help more youth like Soraya follow their dreams. United Way of the Lower Mainland’s $150,000 investment will help more youth like Soraya follow their dreams
Former fostered youth get support to succeed
Today the Government of British Columbia announced a contribution of $250,000 in 2019-20 to the Youth Futures Education Fund.