Nationwide, 235,000 children and youth living with their families are considered at risk of abuse and neglect, and are under the close watch of child protection agencies. Children come into care for complex reasons – but often, it’s as the result of a family struggling with issues like poverty, the legacy of a parent’s childhood trauma, domestic violence, mental health issues, or addiction.

We know that children do best when raised by loving, caring forever families instead of the government. When families in crisis receive the support they need, they have vastly improved chances of keeping their family together. This is why we fund high-impact programs and services through agency partners who support families at risk, to help ensure fewer children and youth grow up in the care of the child welfare system.

For more information about our commitment to children and families at risk, click here.

While Canada’s child welfare agencies do everything in their power to help the young people in their care thrive, children and youth who grow up in care are significantly more likely to experience adverse outcomes compared to their peers – particularly when it comes to their education. Without a high school diploma, and struggling with the impacts of instability and trauma, these young people face a lifetime of lost potential, underemployment and low income.

Through the programs we fund, children and youth in care are able to access supports to help them succeed in school such as tutoring, access to technology, and funding to help meet personal needs such as eyeglasses. They are also able to connect with peers and strengthen their physical and mental health and well-being through extracurricular activities and enrichment programs.

For more information about our commitment to children and youth in care, click here.

Each year, approximately 2,300 youth in care “age out” of the child welfare system – some as young as 18, depending on their province – and must leave government care. Suddenly confronted with navigating life on their own, young people leaving care are expected to assume responsibilities like finding employment and a place to live, achieving a post-secondary education, paying rent and cooking meals – often facing barriers such as not having a high school diploma or a support network of any kind.

For many youth in transition, these significant challenges are further exacerbated by the ongoing impacts of childhood trauma. Feeling isolated, alone and ill-equipped to manage life on their own, too many young people leaving the care of the child welfare system are simply unable to find the stability they need to build successful, independent lives.

For more information about our commitment to youth transitioning out of care, click here.