Tag: Volunteering

Recruiting Former Youth in Care for Research Study on Career Development Experiences

Researchers at the University of Calgary are conducting a study on the career experiences of young adults who aged-out of foster care, kinship care, or community-based care in Canada. The study is called ‘What Helps and Hinders in the Pursuit of Career Success?’.

To be eligible to participate in this study, you need to:
• Be between the ages of 18 to 29
• Have previously spent at least two years in foster care, kinship care, or community-based care in Canada
• Have aged-out of care in Canada
• Self-identify as doing well in your career development

If you are interested in participating then you will be asked to:
• Complete a short demographic questionnaire
• Participate in up to three interviews where you will be asked to share your career development experiences; Interviews will be conducted 1-on-1 virtually or in-person.

To express gratitude for contributing to this research you will be provided with a $15 e-gift card for participating in interview one, another $15 e-gift card for participating in interview two, and also a $10 e-gift card for participating in interview three.

If you have any questions or if you would like to participate in this study, please contact Ashlee Kitchenham at ashlee.kitchenham@ucalgary.ca

The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board has approved this study [REB23-1099].

Recruitment for study on lived experiences of former children and youth in care is now open.

The International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership (ICCRP) aims to conduct a research study to explore intergenerational relationships, lived experiences of former children and youth who aged out of the Ontario child welfare system, and child welfare policy and practices.

The research question of the study is: “How Do Intergenerational Relationships among People with Lived Experiences in the Ontario Child Welfare System Influence Child Welfare Policies and Practices?”

To be eligible for the study, you need to be:

  • a resident of Canada.
  • have lived experiences in the Child Welfare System of Ontario; and
  • be 18 years old or older.

Participants are still eligible to participate in the research study if they are still receiving financial support from child protection agencies.

If you meet these requirements, the ICCRP invites you to participate in a semi-structured virtual interview that will be no more than 60 minutes long. Your participation will involve:

  • communicating with research assistants via email about your availability for the interview.
  • disclosing personal information to demonstrate your eligibility (e.g. your age, if you are a resident of Canada or not, lived experience in the Child Welfare system of Ontario); and
  • attending a one-hour virtual (audio)/phone interview with the research team and answering study questions.

If you are interested in volunteering in the study, ICCRP will send you another email at least two weeks before the interview date with information about the research study and a consent form. You will have time to let them know if you have any questions. If you agree to participate by signing and returning the consent form, ICCRP will forward the interview questions along with a list of mental health and emotional support resources.

Your participation is completely voluntary. No financial compensation will be provided but will have opportunities to engage in other ICCRP activities if you consent to being contacted in future. If you participate, your identity will not be shared with others outside of the research team. You have the right to withdraw voluntarily from participation or parts of participation at any time without providing any reasons.

The research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC) and has been reviewed and approved by the Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board Reference ID 2023-057. You can learn more about the research study by clicking this infographic, ICCRP Overview Infographic August 2023 (torontomu.ca).

If you are interested in more information about the study or would like to volunteer, please contact Jessie Lynn Cross at jessielynncross@torontomu.ca or you can choose to contact Tara Collins by email tara.collins@torontomu.ca or call 416-979-5000, ext. 554563.

Get involved with OACAS: Opportunities for youth from and in care.

  1. The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is recruiting for youth 13 – 18 years of age (and up to 21 years) for the YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC). The application link is enclosed & can also be found here.
  2. YouthCAN is also in need of some folks who would like to be a part of a small committee (made up of former YAC youth, YouthCAN Champions and other child welfare and OACAS staff) to review their YPYAC applications. If this is you, please email David Lewis-Peart directly at dlewispeart@oacas.org to confirm your interest. Reviews will take place between March 15th – 31st.
  3. OACAS and Project Outsiders are set to co-host a FREE, online workshop with guest presenter Jama Maxie on Saturday March 23, 1-4PM. The workshop is entitled, InspHire Virtual Learning Session: Public Speaking Skills for Youth from Care and is open for registration for up to 30 youth between the ages of 16 and 23 years of age with lived experience in the child welfare system in Ontario. Please RSVP through the flyer above. This is filling up fast!

Recruitment open for YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC) at OACAS

The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is recruiting youth 13-18 years of age for their YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC). The recruitment launched at their February 15th YouthCAN Town Hall and will remain open until March 15th. The application link is enclosed & can also be found here.

The YPYAC is a voluntary committee made up of 12 youth from across Ontario, with 2 youth representing each of the 6 zones (Central, Eastern, Southwest, Grand River, Northern, and Northeast).  

The purpose of the YPYAC is to use their youth voices to make recommendations to the Ontario child welfare sector about:  

  • The development and delivery of provincial programs for youth in and transitioning from the Ontario child welfare system.  
  • Advocacy to improve the experiences of children and youth in and from care.  

The YPYAC will be supported by the Youth Services Analyst and the work of the YouthCAN Champion Network Group and Executive.  

Eligible youth should:  

  • Be primarily between 13-18 years old (with allowance for up to 21 years of age)  
  • Have lived experience in the Ontario child welfare system.  
  • Be interested in volunteering to use their voice to make a difference.  
  • Have good communication skills or are interested in building those skills.  
  • Be able to commit to the time required for the YPYAC.  
  • Be willing to complete the necessary training (i.e. 3-day, virtual Youth4Change Orientation)  
  • Be able to work respectfully with other youth and adults in a group setting.  

All submissions will be reviewed by a committee including OACAS and member agency staff and former YPYAC members.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered based on the strength of their responses and their ability to commit to the expectations of the role. OACAS seeks members who represent the wide diversity of youth in care and across the zones.  

Important YPYAC Dates 

February 15th    YPYAC recruitment launched, and online submissions opened for youth to apply.    
February 15th – March 15th   Online submissions remain open for youth applications.   
March 15th   Online submissions close.   
March 15th – 31st Applications are reviewed and final decisions made about selections.   
March 31st   All selected youth to be notified by email and/or phone and information package sent.   
April 6th, 13th, 20th   Youth4Change Orientation Days 1-3 will be held with onboarded youth virtually.    
May 9th*   In-person team building day in advance of Child and Youth In Care Day (CYICD)   

Honorariums are provided for those selected as YPYAC members and who regularly attend and engage in scheduled meetings.  

Questions related to the application can be directed to, David Lewis-Peart, Youth Services Analyst, at dlewispeart@oacas.org or by phone 437-230-2051.