[Kathe]

The Student’s Commission of Canada is establishing and facilitating a Youth Advisory Table that will help inform Ontario’s Child Welfare Redesign. Recruitment is currently underway to identify youth aged 18-25 with lived experience in or with the child welfare system to join the Youth Advisory Table.

The Youth Advisory Table is expected to meet virtually, on a bi-weekly basis, between October 2021 and May 2022 for approximately 7.5 hours per month, to provide their input and voice on the Child Welfare Redesign. Table members will be recognized through honoraria and/or other equitable compensation, as agreed upon by individual youth members to be the most appropriate and equitable type of compensation for their time. Youth will be able to advise/select the type of compensation that is best for their personal situation.

Interested youth are encouraged to reach out to the Student’s Commission of Canada (SCC) at their earliest convenience. If you would like to recommend a youth who may be interested in participating, or have any questions, please connect with SCC by email info@studentscommission.ca or on Instagram and Twitter.

Prospective table members will be invited to connect with SCC team members to learn more about this opportunity and the supports and recognition in place to support participation.

[Kathe]

The International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents (INCCIP) is hosting a virtual conference and is inviting youth (13-25) to participate in their Youth Track. From conference organizers:

“Every two years INCCIP holds an international conference to discuss the issues faced by young people who have lived experience of parental incarceration, good practice in the field, current research, and ways to improve the lives of impacted children across the globe…

This year’s theme is Striving, Thriving and Making a Difference. As well as recognizing the challenges that young people face when a parent goes to prison, our Youth Track will provide an opportunity for young people to share their life successes in order to motivate and lift one another up, as well as make suggestions to researchers and practitioners about what can and should be done next! We also hope that we are able to create a global network of young people who understand, support, and celebrate one another.”

The conference is free and will take place on September 29th and 30th, and on October 1st. Please visit their website for more information.

[Kathe]

Project Canoe and Green Thumbs, based in Toronto, are coordinating Local Explorers, a program for Black and Indigenous girls, non-binary, and 2S youth to connect with nature, and to create and heal relationships. They will have monthly in-person and virtual sessions to come together and learn, reflect, and share in positive and liberating ways. They will have overnight retreats during Winter and Spring break, as well as a canoe trip in July 2022.

There is no cost to participate, and the program will run biweekly from September 2021 to June 2022. All program information, including the application, can be found online.

Although there is no application deadline, the program does have limited spots and youth may be placed on a waiting list. If you have any questions, you can contact Segen Mehreteab, Local Explorers Program Manager, at segen@canoe.org.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with your networks and with any youth who may be interested and eligible. Thank you! 😃