KENORA – RAINY RIVER – Tikinagan is looking for stories from current or former youth in care from their 30 First Nations. They want to know how they paved their way, laid roots, and bloomed. Tikinagan also wants to celebrate those who believed in them, poured into them, and encouraged them. Then on May 14, listen to the stories of Ontario’s Children and Youth in Care as they share their experiences and challenges of living inside the child welfare system.
The campaign aims to bring renewed attention to the accomplishments and challenges of children and youth in the Ontario child welfare system. The #ForgetMeNot campaign is about sharing the stories of young people with experience in the system and reminding the community, government, and service providers that these young people continue to need critical support.
“Campaigns like these are important. They give our youth the chance to voice their needs and share their experiences during and aftercare,” said Judy Angeconeb, Tikinagan Child and Family Services’ Director of Services. “Children and Youth in Care Day puts them in the spotlight and allows them to be heard on a bigger stage.”
Children and Youth in Care Day was created because of the tireless efforts of young people in and from care and the stories and experiences they shared through the My Real Life Book report.
Children and Youth in Care Day is an opportunity to acknowledge children and youth in and from care for their strengths and unique identities. This day allows agencies like Kenora Rainy River Child Family Services and Tikinagan to build better support networks by increasing the participation of community members and partners so that children and youth in and from care feel supported and thrive. It also helps to destigmatize views about children and youth in and from care by increasing awareness and understanding with the public.
Tikinagan’s service model Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin, meaning “everyone working together to raise our children,” doesn’t end when our children are out of care. We continually support children and youth to ensure healthy families, which will be the foundation of strong and healthy communities.
Angeconeb said “It is important for children and youth in care to know they belong to and have the support of their community. They need to know they are not alone. Join us in reminding the community, government, and service providers that these young people continue to need support. They need to know they are not forgotten.”
To learn more, go to visit the Tikinagan website..
