Young People Aging Out of Care

In BC, young people age out of foster care when they are 18 years old. They are immediately faced with key life decisions concerning their education, health, financial independence, employment, relationships, and learning basic life skills. One of the key factors in their success is whether they find adequate housing in a healthy supportive environment. Young people have multiple barriers to adequate housing, besides their age and inexperience, they often have extremely limited funds, and are faced with racism based on being Indigenous. Given that this population is often alienated from their home community and family participants indicated that the Authority could act as a safety net not just for young people aging out of care but for all young people looking to become independent.

Recommendations

• Keep a central registry of young people aging out of care so they do not fall through the cracks for housing services • Allow all young people to be part of the registry when they move away from home • Provide advocacy services • Have help available until at least age 25 • Connect young people with safe First Nations homes where they can rent a room or suite • Deliver a program that provides small houses for young people on a temporary basis • Provide wrap-around social services • Provide cultural teachings • Include life skills and housing skills • Connect with health services and counselling • Build self-reliance

TIPI POLES, NORTHSIDE LHEIDLI T’ENNEH RESERVE IN THE TERRITORY OF THE LHEIDLI T’ENNEH NATION BY JARED NOME

Home was my safe place when I was a child, where I could grow and learn and go to school and get an education. I have had quite a long journey. The foster system is not new to me. I’ve been in the system since I was a toddler. I can’t count how many foster homes I’ve been in. But I’ve been really fortunate because a lot of my foster parents were really good people. But it didn’t come without challenges and barriers.

When I was about 16, I had a youth agreement with the system. I got my own apartment. They were helping me transition into being an adult. By then I was pregnant with my first child. I got my first apartment and they helped me with budgeting and life skills. I met regularly with my worker. We did grocery shopping.…

My first apartment was in the lower income area it was hard to find a rental being Indigenous and young and a young mother. I had to think about the budget.… There were those challenges even with the help of the ministry and knowing the rent would be paid. Landlords didn’t want to rent to me. When I aged out of care and it went from so much support and funds and security knowing that rent would be paid to nothing.… I did get a job.

My next place was in the hood in Prince George. It was the only place that I could get approved. I had a pretty good head on my shoulders, but do you think they thought that, no.… I was questioned.… I had to give them so much more information than anyone else.

I was 19 and aging out and the part of town I was living in.… I actually saw a dead body. You are exposed to so many things. Your children are exposed to them as well, There was constant partying. There was a drug bust almost right on my doorstep. We were woken up at any time of the night. Being in those lower income areas opportunities are not there for you.

I want to play a role in making it better for kids in care in the future.… We are often all about the next seven generations.

JAYDE DURANLEAU, MCLEOD LAKE INDIAN BAND