Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/398704
F a l l 2 0 1 4 I V a n c o u v e r F o u n d a t i o n l p a g e 1 9 Kris Archie, project manager of YAC, has worked with members to lay down these ground rules immediately when speaking with the media. ere's no asking of personal questions unless invited to do so – basic manners, but ones traditional media sometimes neglect when speaking to youth formerly in foster care. But it's not only about the image projected to the public; this code of conduct applies equally to YAC discussions among youth who have all experienced foster care and/or homelessness. It's one difference Shawnee Gaffney, 20, appreciates about YAC. "[Kris Archie] didn't push us to share our personal stories. She actually promoted not talking about them until we got to know each other a little more." Instead, explains Gaffney, "she asked us what we've got coming up that we're excited about. She totally avoids the past unless you're will- ing to share." The philosophy makes sense considering one of YAC's interests: to create a new narrative about youth homelessness and foster care – one that honours lived experi- ence, but examines weaknesses in the system, not in individuals. Each year, around 700 youth "age out" of the foster care system – that is, they turn 19 and stop qualifying for government assistance. Lacking stable jobs and without a place to go, "almost half go on income assis- tance within a few months" and many end up homeless. In fact, "40 per cent of homeless youth have been in government care," according to a 2013 Vancouver Foundation report on youth homelessness. YAC meets twice a month for four hours of discussion, planning and dinner. "It's a very diverse group," says Kali Sedgemore, 22. "We're all coming out of care, or are in care. It's a really nice com- munity of people. I've created a few friendships out of it." A typical session begins with a check-in, when each participant shares some news of his or her week. Next, they look at the agenda and talk about upcoming events – perhaps a task force meeting, interviews with media, media training or grant allocations. "e biggest thing we do in YAC," says Sedgemore, "is create presentations to bring to bigger meetings to show the work that has been done to change policies around foster care and transitioning out of foster care." Archie adds, "ey've participated in the Mayor's Task Force on Mental Health and Addictions and provided recommendations on engaging youth in service programming and development. ey've been talking to local and regional service providers, elected politi- cians, and staff with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the health authority about developing a 'collective impact' strategy for Vancouver on youth transitions from foster care. ey will be presenting to Vancouver Foundation staff and our existing grantees about their Chicago experience." at Chicago experience was the National Summit on Authentic Youth Engagement this past August, where Sedgemore, Gaffney and Archie spoke about YAC's efforts to promote a new narrative about foster care and homeless youth. Vancouver Foundation grant- ing has supported the development of video, art, poetry and interac- tive websites to tell new stories of hope and empowerment. Articles that resort to "foster-care porn" – sad, shocking stories of neglect, abuse and/or addiction – may seem sympathetic and useful for eliciting donations, explains Archie. But these stories are not the only truth, and their dark weight can both overshadow an individual's upward climb and draw attention away from an even larger truth – a breakdown of the system. ey shape how potential landlords, employ- ers, classmates and neighbours see them even before they know them. One of the most important lessons from their experience in YAC, say the youth, has been realizing that the difficulties they experi- enced are evidence of a broken system, not a flawed character. Sedgemore recalls the hopelessness he felt upon aging out on Vancouver Island. "You get a letter in the mail saying you're getting taken off your Youth Agreement. Basically you're not getting any more money," he explains. "I had no prep, had to pack up my place in three weeks and got a bus ticket back home to Alert Bay." Gaffney was one of only six Surrey youth accepted into a non- government rent subsidy program through Options Youth Services when she turned 19. at helped, but emotional support from the Ministry of Child and Family Development disappeared abruptly. "It was kind of sad. When I aged out, they got me to sign the papers. [e receptionist] came out and gave me a big hug for 10 minutes because I'd been around her for so long. But the social worker was too busy to come out of her office. She didn't even say goodbye." "The biggest thing we do in YAC is create presentations to bring to bigger meetings to show the work that has been done to change policies around foster care and transitioning out of foster care." —Kali Sedgemore, 22