Who We Help

We work in service of children and youth aged 10-25 who are living in or transitioning from foster care and have few supportive adults they can rely on. We exist to create transformative changes in their lives and make them feel safe, supported, and empowered.

create transformative changes in the lives of youth

Youth in need

Youth transitioning out of the foster care system are among society's most vulnerable.

11700

is the approximate number of children and youth under state guardianship in Ontario.

1000

of these young people are forced to exit the system every year.

58%

of youth experiencing homelessness report some involvement with Child Protection Services.

193

times more likely are young people from foster care to experience homelessness than their peers.

44%

of youth involved in child welfare graduate from high school compared to the general population rate of 89%.

Research

We raise awareness about youth from foster care and amplify their voices.

This 2021 Report from Marsha Rampersaud and Linda Mussell summarizes what is known about youth ‘aging out’ of state guardianship in Ontario and estimates the tangible and intangible costs of current outcomes when youth do not have the support they need. The report goes on to recommend policy options to improve outcomes for not just the youth, but society as a whole.

Read the report

This 2019 report from Alia Innovations “identifies huge social and economic costs associated with a child entering and being maintained in the foster care system.” “The report is a call to arms to fundamentally reinvent the system”.

read the report

  • Based on the combined total of lost earnings of youth leaving state guardianship over their lifetimes, the province stands to lose approximately $118 to $315.8 million in revenue.
  • The lifetime cost to the province to support youth leaving state guardianship who rely on income supports like Ontario Works is $235 million.
  • Over their lifetime, youth leaving state guardianship who experience homelessness may cost the province approximately $629.8 million for emergency shelter.
  • Youth who leave state guardianship and experience incarceration stand to cost the province approximately $19.6 to $36 million annually; over their lifetime, the province may incur nearly $1 billion in incarceration costs.

key stats

Youth who leave the care system lack supportive role models, lack guidance and exposure to other ways of life. Furthermore, those who need support are often the youth who do not access services because of distrust and previous negative experiences with the system. A cycle of dependence on the system is created.