Transition in Resources, Relationships, and Understanding Support Together
Collective impact is an approach to addressing complex social issues that involves bringing together governments, service providers, and community members to work collaboratively towards long-lasting change. It recognizes that systems change requires the commitment, shared vision, and collective action of people across different sectors.
First introduced in 2011 by John Kania and Mark Kramer, collective impact initiatives require five key conditions for success:
A common agenda
Shared measurement systems
Mutually reinforcing activities
Continuous communication
Backbone support organizations
In British Columbia, when a youth in care (e.g., in a foster home, group home) turns 19 years old, they formally transition out or ‘age out’ of the government care system. This means that the financial and emotional supports that youth previously relied on are often lost. While 92% of parents in BC continue to provide their children with some form of support after they turn 19, whether financial, emotional, or material (Fostering Change, 2016), many youth who have left government care are not able to rely on such supports and often experience financial hardship and problems finding and maintaining housing. For example, 29% of young people report that aging out of care led to their first experience with homelessness or housing insecurity (Representative for Children and Youth, 2020).
TRRUST’s work centres on closing gaps in support and ensuring that young people with care experience thrive. TRRUST affirms that youth in care deserve a transition into adulthood that is as extended and supported as that of their peers and we are dedicated to making this a reality.
The Collective Young Leaders (CYL) is a diverse group of young people with lived experience of the government care system in BC that informs all decisions and aspects of the initiative. CYL members sit on each working group and passion project, as well as the Strategic Advisory Committee.
Members of the collective represent youth with lived experiences, government agencies, health partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders from various sectors, including housing, education, employment, mental health, substance use, and health care.
The Strategic Advisory Committee comprises cross-sectoral leaders, including members of the Collective Young Leaders, who guide the broader strategy and vision of the collective.
McCreary Centre Society serves as the backbone organization for TRRUST to provide the supporting infrastructure and administration to help the collective function smoothly.
In addition to the broader work of the collective, TRRUST members work on tangible, time-limited Passion Projects focused on specific barriers and opportunities for youth aging out of care. Current Passion Projects include:
The Pets Passion Project aims to address the challenges faced by youth with pets while raising awareness about the needs of both the young individuals and their animals. The group has developed a workshop and printed resources tailored for youth and service providers, which will be available soon. Additionally, they are currently creating a curriculum for post-secondary students pursuing careers in health and social services.
This Passion Project aims to reduce food insecurity among youth transitioning out of care in Vancouver by reducing barriers to existing food access programs and fostering a community where no young person goes to bed hungry. The group has developed a youth-friendly calendar of local programs, and completed a youth engagement initiative to canvass perspectives on gaps and needs among youth currently accessing food banks or community meal programs.
The Housing Passion Project works to improve access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for youth transitioning out of care in Vancouver. The group is working to secure housing co-op units available to young people transitioning out of government care in the Lower Mainland.
