Network launched to support youth-in-care

07/27/2010

Youth-in-care in New Brunswick now have a network of peers to provide a positive influence, support and guidance in their lives. The network was officially launched today by Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock.

This network will provide youth-in-care in New Brunswick with opportunities to meet and learn from other young people who have shared similar experiences, said Lamrock. We know that peers matter when young people make choices. Giving them a strong peer network is a good investment. 

The provincial government will provide $200,000 over five years to Partners for Youth Inc. to develop local youth-in-care networks in anglophone and francophone communities as well as a bilingual, provincial youth-in-care network.  

We are very excited to co-ordinate this important initiative with youth as the key leaders in the project development, said John Sharpe, general manager, Partners for Youth Inc. For more than 15 years, Partners for Youth has been working with and engaging youth-in-care across New Brunswick. This formal network development will fill a major gap in service for youth from across the province. 

Youth-in-care networks in Canada are developed and based on the needs of their individual members. As a result, different networks may have different purposes, from offering support groups to teaching essential life skills and to advocating on behalf of youth.

Youth-led consultations will be held across the province where youth-in-care will be able to offer suggestions about what services and functions should be available through their network.

밒 encourage all youth-in-care to participate in the consultation process and make your voices heard, said Lamrock. 밳our input will ensure that your ideas are turned into action on issues that are important to you.