Raising the Voice of Vulnerable Youth

These are difficult times for all of us - as we adapt to working, studying and socializing from home. But these times are especially difficult for the vulnerable in our community, in particular, young people who have aged out of foster care.

With physical distancing in place, many young adults have moved home with their families. Youth who have aged out of care don’t have that safety net. They are self-supporting and, in many cases, struggling to provide themselves with basic needs, such as food and shelter, even during the best of times. These young adults are in need now more than ever.

My family and I have been supporting and mentoring a young woman through Never Too Late for Family, a pilot program run by the Adoption Council of Ontario. 

Being able to physically distance in a safe, clean space is a privilege. Being able to stay at home and order food for delivery is a luxury.

Erica (not her real name) has aged out of care. She is a resilient young woman who put herself through college and will soon be graduating. But daily survival is a challenge, not to mention the isolation she feels while we are all social distancing. Her strength during these challenging times and her determination to complete her college degree are inspiring to say the least. We are helping to ensure she has the basics – food, shelter and is safe. Importantly, I check in with Erica by phone and text a few times a day. She has told me that our daily conversations are what she appreciates the most. 

When you learn of the hardships that young people like Erica have to go through, you realize that being able to physically distance in a safe, clean space is a privilege. Being able to stay at home and order food for delivery is a luxury.

My husband and I adopted our oldest son Ivan from foster care when he was almost four years old. He has been the greatest gift to us and we could not imagine our lives without him. Ivan has grown into an intelligent, responsible young man. He’s also become an advocate for youth in care and aging out of care. A few years ago, he wrote this article for the Toronto Star pleading with our leaders to support young people in care. “I can’t imagine what it would be like if I hadn’t been adopted. Chances are I would never finish high school and would have ended up homeless. Each time I walk by a homeless person on the street, I wonder if they were in foster care. I am writing this because I truly believe that as a community we can change this.”

How can we as a community expect young people who age out of care, typically at 18 years of age, to survive without any financial or emotional support?

According to the Adoption Council of Ontario, 40 per cent of young adults between 20-29 years of age live with their parents. How then can we as a community expect young people who age out of care, typically at 18 years of age, to survive without any financial or emotional support? Half of them will not finish high school, half will be unemployed and 25 per cent will end up homeless. 

Some people have referred to the pandemic as a great equalizer. It’s not. If anything, it has highlighted the great inequities in our society.

Adopting our son and his interest in foster care and youth aging out of care make our family acutely aware of the needs of these young people. That is why I’m using my voice to raise the voices of our young people who have aged out of care and are very much on their own during this difficult time. 

The Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada launched a COVID-19 Youth Support Fund which was then temporarily put on hold due to the large volume of applications. They have since increased their fundraising efforts to raise more money to expand the program. As we mark Children and Youth in Care Day tomorrow, May 14, let’s not forget these young people. If you can donate, please do. These are Ontario’s young people, Canada’s young people, our young people.

Dr. Christine Allen is Associate Vice-President & Vice-Provost, Strategic Initiatives at the University of Toronto. She is an academic and business leader, entrepreneur and award-winning researcher. Follow Dr. Allen on Twitter @ChristineAllenW