CYC Podcast

Hiring Care is an audio drama inquiry created from one-on-one conversations with 10 child and youth care practitioners (CYCPs) “from care” (CYCPfC). Most of the script is verbatim, meaning the words spoken by the actors are (mostly) re-enactments of what CYCPfC said in the conversations. The conversations have been re-arranged and different CYCPfC have been put into relationships with each other, even though they never actually spoke with each other during the recorded conversations. Three of the characters (B, Ellisha, and Terri) are composites of two different people. Hiring Care is constructed as a conversation between a group of seven CYCPs “from care” (CYCPfC) who are meeting to talk about creating a way to support agencies who want to hire practitioners with child welfare experience. This frame for the structure came out of an idea mentioned by one of the conversationalists (Charlotte), who said she and some of her colleagues “wanted to create a booklet about how to support someone with lived experience in care in your organization, who works for you”. Hiring Carehas seven different episodes, each one introduced by a different character and addressing different themes, although there are some overlaps between the different episodes. While the script follows a chronological order, it is not necessary to listen to them in a particular order. You might find it more relevant to pick specific themes (identified with each episode) and listen to that particular conversation. To learn more about the project, please visit www.TuningIntoCYC.org Charlie challenges the group to think beyond their understandings regarding the benefits of being from care, and pushes the white CYCPfC to think of the cultural costs for Indigenous and other racialized young people incurred by going into child protection services.  

Hiring Care is an audio drama inquiry created from one-on-one conversations with 10 child and youth care practitioners (CYCPs) “from care” (CYCPfC). Most of the script is verbatim, meaning the words spoken by the actors are (mostly) re-enactments of what CYCPfC said in the conversations. The conversations have been re-arranged and different CYCPfC have been put into relationships with each other, even though they never actually spoke with each other during the recorded conversations. Three of the characters (B, Ellisha, and Terri) are composites of two different people. Hiring Care is constructed as a conversation between a group of seven CYCPs “from care” (CYCPfC) who are meeting to talk about creating a way to support agencies who want to hire practitioners with child welfare experience. This frame for the structure came out of an idea mentioned by one of the conversationalists (Charlotte), who said she and some of her colleagues “wanted to create a booklet about how to support someone with lived experience in care in your organization, who works for you”. Hiring Carehas seven different episodes, each one introduced by a different character and addressing different themes, although there are some overlaps between the different episodes. While the script follows a chronological order, it is not necessary to listen to them in a particular order. You might find it more relevant to pick specific themes (identified with each episode) and listen to that particular conversation. To learn more about the project, please visit www.TuningIntoCYC.org Leela and Terri have an uncomfortable conversation after Terri reaches out to Leela asking for help to “diversify” the group of CYCP from care.      

Hiring Care is an audio drama inquiry created from one-on-one conversations with 10 child and youth care practitioners (CYCPs) “from care” (CYCPfC). Most of the script is verbatim, meaning the words spoken by the actors are (mostly) re-enactments of what CYCPfC said in the conversations. The conversations have been re-arranged and different CYCPfC have been put into relationships with each other, even though they never actually spoke with each other during the recorded conversations. Three of the characters (B, Ellisha, and Terri) are composites of two different people. Hiring Care is constructed as a conversation between a group of seven CYCPs “from care” (CYCPfC) who are meeting to talk about creating a way to support agencies who want to hire practitioners with child welfare experience. This frame for the structure came out of an idea mentioned by one of the conversationalists (Charlotte), who said she and some of her colleagues “wanted to create a booklet about how to support someone with lived experience in care in your organization, who works for you”. Hiring Carehas seven different episodes, each one introduced by a different character and addressing different themes, although there are some overlaps between the different episodes. While the script follows a chronological order, it is not necessary to listen to them in a particular order. You might find it more relevant to pick specific themes (identified with each episode) and listen to that particular conversation. To learn more about the project, please visit www.TuningIntoCYC.org The group finds common ground identifying the many ways they felt failed by their time in the child welfare system.   Themes/Key words: Child Protection Services, First Voice, Failures of the Care System

Hiring Care is an audio drama inquiry created from one-on-one conversations with 10 child and youth care practitioners (CYCPs) “from care” (CYCPfC). Most of the script is verbatim, meaning the words spoken by the actors are (mostly) re-enactments of what CYCPfC said in the conversations. The conversations have been re-arranged and different CYCPfC have been put into relationships with each other, even though they never actually spoke with each other during the recorded conversations. Three of the characters (B, Ellisha, and Terri) are composites of two different people. Hiring Care is constructed as a conversation between a group of seven CYCPs “from care” (CYCPfC) who are meeting to talk about creating a way to support agencies who want to hire practitioners with child welfare experience. This frame for the structure came out of an idea mentioned by one of the conversationalists (Charlotte), who said she and some of her colleagues “wanted to create a booklet about how to support someone with lived experience in care in your organization, who works for you”. Hiring Carehas seven different episodes, each one introduced by a different character and addressing different themes, although there are some overlaps between the different episodes. While the script follows a chronological order, it is not necessary to listen to them in a particular order. You might find it more relevant to pick specific themes (identified with each episode) and listen to that particular conversation. To learn more about the project, please visit www.TuningIntoCYC.org In their first conversation as a group, 5 child and youth care practitioners from care (CYCPfC) talk about trying to work in the same system that raised them. After some awkward moments, the group seeks common ground through identifying the challenges of being in care and the wisdom/benefits they take into their work.    

In this episode Wolfgang Vachon says goodbye as host of CYC Podcast. He also talks about the new team taking over the podcast : Vivian Patruno, Salvatore D'Agatstino, and Christopher Cottle; and introduces a new audio drama inquiry called Hiring Care. What happens when you work in the same system that raised you? Charlotte, a new CYCP “from care”, struggles to understand what care means when your lived experience wasn't always full of care. Hiring Care is an audio drama inquiry created from one-on-one conversations with 10 child and youth care practitioners (CYCPs) “from care” (CYCPfC). Most of the script is verbatim, meaning the words spoken by the actors are (mostly) re-enactments of what CYCPfC said in the conversations. The conversations have been re-arranged and different CYCPfC have been put into relationships with each other, even though they never actually spoke with each other during the recorded conversations. Three of the characters (B, Ellisha, and Terri) are composites of two different people. Hiring Care is constructed as a conversation between a group of seven CYCPs “from care” (CYCPfC) who are meeting to talk about creating a way to support agencies who want to hire practitioners with child welfare experience. This frame for the structure came out of an idea mentioned by one of the conversationalists (Charlotte), who said she and some of her colleagues “wanted to create a booklet about how to support someone with lived experience in care in your organization, who works for you”. Hiring Carehas seven different episodes, each one introduced by a different character and addressing different themes, although there are some overlaps between the different episodes. While the script follows a chronological order, it is not necessary to listen to them in a particular order. You might find it more relevant to pick specific themes (identified with each episode) and listen to that particular conversation. To learn more about the project, please visit www.TuningIntoCYC.org    

On this episode, Salvatore, Host of the CYC Podcast, talks with #RisingYouth Alumni Mia Otokiak, who organized a workshop series celebrating the ecology of the Arctic, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and youth leadership. We learn about the importance of plankton and marine mammals in the arctic maritime food chain.   This episode of the #RisingYouth Podcast was developed in partnership with the CYC Podcast. For more information on #RisingYouth Community Service Grants of up to $1,500 available to youth 15-30, visit https://www.risingyouth.ca // Dans cet épisode, Salvatore, l'animateur du podcast CYC, s'entretient avec Mia Otokiak, une Alumni de #JeunesEnAction, qui a organisé une série d'ateliers sur l'écologie de l'Arctique, l'Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit et le leadership des jeunes. Nous en apprenons sur l'importance du plancton et des mammifères marins dans la chaîne alimentaire maritime arctique. Cet épisode du podcast #JeunesEnAction a été développé en partenariat avec le CYC Podcast. Pour plus d'informations sur les subventions de service communautaire #JeunesEnAction, d'un montant maximal de 1 500 dollars, destinées aux jeunes de 15 à 30 ans, visitez le site https://www.jeunesenaction.com/

On this episode, Vivian Patruno, Host of the CYC Podcast, talks with #RisingYouth Alumni Rebecca Gibbons, who created The Neighbourhood Story Project, in which residents in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighourhood, were invited to record a 2-5 minute audio story of their experiences living during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote community solidarity and connection during social distancing.  This episode of the #RisingYouth Podcast was developed in partnership with the CYC Podcast. For more information on #RisingYouth Community Service Grants of up to $1,500 available to youth 15-30, visit https://www.risingyouth.ca // Dans cet épisode, Vivian Patruno, animatrice du CYC Podcast, s'entretient avec Rebecca Gibbons, une Alumni de #JeunesEnAction, qui a créé le projet " Neighbourhood Story ", dans le cadre duquel les habitants du quartier Sandy Hill d'Ottawa ont été invités à enregistrer un récit audio de 2 à 5 minutes sur leurs expériences de vie pendant la pandémie de COVID-19, afin de promouvoir la solidarité et les liens communautaires dans un contexte de distanciation sociale.  Cet épisode du podcast #JeunesEnAction a été développé en partenariat avec le CYC Podcast. Pour plus d'informations sur les subventions de service communautaire #JeunesEnAction, d'un montant maximal de 1 500 dollars, destinées aux jeunes de 15 à 30 ans, visitez le site https://www.jeunesenaction.com/  

This episode is a recording of a Child and Youth Care graduate school information panel that took place November 30, 2021. Graduate school programs were represented by Natasha Blanchet-Cohen from Concordia University's Graduate Diploma in Youth Work; Graham McPheat from the University of Strathclyde's MSc in Child and Youth Care Studies; Alison Gerlach from the University of Victoria's Masters and PhD programs in Child, Youth, Family and Community Studies; and Julian Hasford from the University formally known as Ryerson's MA in Child and Youth Care. We only recorded the faculty presentations. This was done to allow student presenters to speak freely about their educational experiences both good and not so great. Student presenters included Crystal Harrison, Caroline Moore, Emily Hellard, Wolfgang Vachon, and Juanita Stephen. If you would like to see a video of the presentation, you can go to CYC-Net.org. To learn more about the programs discussed please visit: Concordia University University of Strathclyde University of Victoria x-University  

In this episode A. Longoria talks about “identity-sustaining practices” in Child and Youth Care, education, and academia. They begin by asking how can/do queer, trans, IBPOC educators & CYCPs remain who they are within and across the spaces they work, so that practitioners and educators can help those they work with remain who they are. In response, A. Longoria discusses corporality, aesthetics, identity, and queering the norms of practice inside the classroom and out in the world. To read the article this conversation refers to visit: https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijcyfs/article/view/20343 To purchase their newest book Creating a Home in Schools: Sustaining Identities for Black, Indigenous, and Teachers of Color please visit: https://www.tcpress.com/creating-a-home-in-schools-9780807765265 (USA) https://www.utpguidancecentre.com/Creating-a-Home.html (Canada)  

Wolfgang speaks with Audrey Wolfe and Mattie Walker about the recently published special issue of the International Journal of Child, youth, and Family Studies titled Possibilities, Futures, and Queer World-Making in CYC. This is the first queer themed special issue in any CYC journal. Audrey and Mattie speak about how the issue came about, some of the pieces published, and why they think there is a need for such a focused issue.   The journal can be found at https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijcyfs/issue/view/1518      

This month we are showcasing episode 7 from ReFiled, a research-based fiction podcast created with Child and Youth Care practitioners who have residential placement experience. You can listen to the complete series at www.Refiled.ca, or on iTunes , Spotify, and Google Podcasts. 

David Lewis-Pert and Meagan Lindley talk about their work at the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) and the annual YouthCAN conference for young people in the child welfare system.  This year's conference title is Beyond Survive: THRIVE! with a focus on topics related to health and wellbeing for young people in and from child protection services. Meagan and David discuss paths to thriving for those in care, ways peers can foster wellbeing, and suggestions for adults who support young people. Link to YouthCan: http://www.oacas.org/what-we-do/youthcan/ Our host Wolfgang Vachon's has his own research project/podcast  titled  ReFiled, a drama inquiry with child and youth care practitioners with residential care experience.   

On this episode Chanice McAnuff of (Founder of Project Outsoders) and Vivian Patruno (Producer and Editor) continue their discussion regarding their experience growing up in foster care with social workers and staff. The two reflect on the system gaps in their experience and how social workers and housing staff have the power to impact youth in tremendous ways.    For more information on the programs we provide please visit https://www.risingyouth.caand https://www.tigweb.org 

Sean Elliott discusses his recently completed study with graduates of college or university programs and who have lived in residential placement. Sean, who identifies as a “foster care alumni” talks about why he used an asset-based approach by focusing on success factors, learnings from the study, and how educators and others can support students with residential care histories. This conversation is a follow-up to our discussion last month about ReFiled an audio drama inquiry with child and youth care practitioners with residential care experience, and the conversation series we hosted by Project Outsiders.

On this episode Chanice McAnuff of (founder of Project Outsoders) and Vivian Patruno (Producer and Editor) discuss their experience growing up in foster care with social workers and staff. The two reflect on the system gaps in their experience and how social workers and housing staff have the power to impact youth in tremendous ways.    For more information on the programs we provide please visit https://www.risingyouth.caand https://www.tigweb.org   

In this episode, Wolfgang speaks with Krystin Bonakowsky and Shannon Cherry, about the research project Tuning into Child and Youth Care: An Audio-Drama Inquiry with Child and Youth Care practitioners who have lived in Residential Care. We begin by talking about the audio drama ReFiled (TuningIntoCYC.org), which follows a CYCP from care working in a group home who finds herself in crises after putting a young person into restraint. The audio drama leads to discussions about the role of files in working with young people, what they do and don’t say about the young person, what they reveal about the writer, what it is like to be “from care” and working in the care system, and we end with thoughts about the benefits and limitations of such lived experiences. To learn more about Tuning into Child and Youth Care and hear the audio drama episodes please visit TuningIntoCYC.org  

Aaron Crhak talks about the use of video games within child and youth care practice. Exploring games as a way to build relationship, practice life skills, have therapeutic conversations, and develop mastery he elaborates on different games, how he utilizes them, and why he thinks they are effective tools for CYCPs to use with young people.    For more information on the programs we provide please visit https://www.risingyouth.ca and https://www.tigweb.org     

In this episode Jeremiah Otis sits down with Salvatore to discuss music based programs in at risk areas. Jeremiah is a youth advocate, musician and producer; he has found peace and happiness in music. His goal is to spread this message to young people from all over. In this episode we find out how imperative youth led music programs can be with the right approach.  Jeremiah Otis on Instagram: @jotis16  For more information on the programs we provide please visit https://www.risingyouth.ca and https://www.tigweb.org   

For our season finale, we sat down and had a conversation with Samuel Ashirbekov. He is a transgender female to male and an aspiring advocate for youth in care. Samuel shares with us what it was like transitioning into his new identity while in the child welfare system. He shares the obstacles he faced before, during, and after encountering me (Chanice) in the group home we both lived in. Sam and I both lived in the same group home for a period of time and we reflect on our different experiences within the same space. In this conversation, we learn about what it is like having the system paint your identity and what are some of the current gaps when it comes to youth identifying as a part of the LGBTQ2S+ community. We hope you have enjoyed the first season and have taken something away from each conversation. We ask you to continue to support our movement and content by liking, sharing, and promoting it on your platforms. More is coming soon but until then, we hope you take care and stay safe.    If you want to partner with Samuel here is an email you can contact him by samuel.ashirbekov@gmail.com    Check out the full episode on the CYC podcast available on Spotify  Google play and many other platforms.  Follow our socials  https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders Instagram  Twitter  LinkedIn Facebook   Want to know how to get involved or support our mission? Subscribe to our patron to get exclusive content and discounts on our merchandise. Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/projectoutsiders   Website – www.projectoutsiders.com Want to know what programs are available in your community? Check out our blog. We are constantly updating our page with new local programs, news, and policy changes. You can also learn about your rights and supports that are afforded to you by the government. Click here to find out more. (here will be a hyperlink)  

Welcome back to Project Outsiders. If you are returning, thank you so much for coming back and tuning into our podcast. We really appreciate all of  your support and joining us along on our journey to improving the foster care system. For those who are new here, Welcome to the Foster Care Experience Podcast. We are a youth lead social organization that is trying to bridge the gap between youth in care with decision makers. We are all youth from care who have been pushed by our experience to ensure we see changes to a disconnected system. We are all incredibly passionate advocates and activists and want to create paths and opportunities for youth in care.  Youth in care don’t have a house to go for holidays, someone who will always be there to lean on. Every human being deserves to have people that care for them unconditionally, not for a paycheck, not until a youth turns 18. Families are always there for each other. Why is child welfare so different?  Today we are talking about permanency within child welfare. Youth in care experience a lot of abandonment, neglect, and isolation which shapes their interaction in the world well after they leave care. The instability from moving around and the drastic feeling of abandonment youth feel once they turn 18 or 21 leave many youth feeling worthless. We want to learn how youth views the idea of permanency and its impact of attaining it even later in life. To help us with this discussion we have Vivian Patruno.  Vivian Patruno is a former youth in the child welfare system. She has been involved with the children's Aid since infancy due to parental mental health circumstances.Vivian is a youth advocate, a fitness enthusiast and she is a Producer and Editor. Vivian’s newest endeavor is working with RBC.  Vivian is undergoing permanency through the NeverTooLate program in partnership with PARC (Pape, Adolescent Resource Centre) She connected with her family when she was 23. What Vivian needs the world to know is that everyone deserves permanency and stability. 

Sophia Yang speaks with Wolfgang about Threading Change, “a youth-led not-for-profit organization envisioning a future where fashion is ethical and circular, rooted in justice with climate, gender, and racial equity at the forefront.” In this motivating conversation Sophia discusses relationships between fashion, racism, environmental destruction, and what can be done to change these current realities. This conversation is part of our ongoing partnership with Taking it Global   For more information on the programs we provide visit: http://risingyouth.ca    See here for more information about Threading Change   GET INVOLVED WITH THREADING CHANGE:  1. Join #ClothesBusters month: Threading Change's Spring Cleaning educational campaign here to demystify and bust popular clothing myths!  2. Threading Change is hiring! (unpaid for now, paid to start in summer) 3. Sign up for Threading Change's newsletter to get resources and stay up to date with local campaigns    OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:  1. Join the global Fashion Revolution Week and ask: #WHOMADEMYCLOTHES? (Fashion Revolution's website also has tons of other great reading, organizing, and campaigning resources as well!) 2. Join the #PayUp movement 3. Check out Slow Factory Foundation's AMAZING Fashion Education courses for BIPOC 4. Sign the petition to end Uyghur forced labour in China   READINGS/RESOURCES:  1. Blog post Sophia wrote on why we need to start Threading Change  2. Threading Change's global launch webinar 3. How to Buy Clothes Built to Last by Kendra Pierre-Louis 4. Vox article: Why is it so hard for clothing manufacturers to pay a living wage?  5. Gone Thrifting: How to Build A Better Thrifting System by Emily Stochl 6. What A Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050 7. Global Fashion Agenda's Fashion on Climate report   PODCASTS/FILMS:  1. Film: Unravel  2. The True Cost (all on Youtube for free!)  3. Conscious Chatter  4. Wardrobe Crisis  5. Fashion is a great teacher

Welcome back to Project Outsiders. If you are returning, thank you so much for coming back and tuning into our podcast. We really appreciate all of  your support and joining us along on our journey to improving the foster care system. For those who are new here, Welcome to the Foster Care Experience Podcast. We are a youth lead social organization that is trying to bridge the gap between youth in care with decision makers. We are all youth from care who have been pushed by our experience to ensure we see changes to a disconnected system. We are all incredibly passionate advocates and activists and want to create paths and opportunities for youth in care. In today's conversation we want to talk about mental health and the use of substances. For a lot of youth in care that is the number one tool we would resort to as a way to cope with our situation. It is not often that we have people in our life that are able to teach us healthy coping skills so we go with the ones taught to us by our peers who are also struggling. This becomes a complicated cycle to get out of once it has been habituated into your daily routine. When mental health becomes more of an issue the more easy it is for youth to fall deeper into an addiction. There are a lot of stigmas that come with having an addiction and today we want to learn more about how to prevent and overcome them. Here to tell us about her journey overcoming a global pandemic is Keona Sehmi. (Keona’s Bio) Keona Sehmi is a first voice advocate and participates in numerous committees as a youth advisor. Some of the committees she sits on includes the youth for change steering committee with OACAS, youth said through Halton CAS, She is an advisor for OACAS covid-19 mental health toolkit, and she is a peer mentor for the futures life skills and mentorship program. She plans to take a year off after she graduates for self growth and recovery, but plans to go to school for nursing to become a psychiatric nurse at mohawk.  Check out the full episode on the CYC podcast available on Spotify  Google play as well as all other platforms.   Follow our socials:   https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders Instagram Twitter  LinkedIn Facebook   Want to know how to get involved or support our mission? Subscribe to our patron to get exclusive content and discounts to our merchandise.   Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/projectoutsiders   Website – www.projectoutsiders.com   Want to know what programs are available in your community? Check out our blog. We are constantly updating our page with new local programs, news, and policy changes. You can also learn about your rights and supports that are afforded to you by the government.     

On this week’s episode we have Vivian Patruno interviews one of our last guest of the season Saif Khan a youth a part of the My Voice, a magazine and ngo focused on the Muslim Community. Saif talks about his experience with #RisingYouth and how they helped him with developing their quarter one program called My Voice Academy, an Open Mic event. Saif goes over how they developed their Youth Journalism and Media workshop to help educate youth on how they can increase their advocacy capacity.   @myvoicecanada on Instagramb www.myvoicecanada.com  www.issuu.com/myvoicecanada  www.youtube.com/channel/UC9szM33a4gomsN0KT7rr6Ag  www.twitter.com/myvoicecanada    For more informations about the programs we offer please visit https://www.risingyouth.ca 

Children’s Aid societies are beginning to recognize the importance of the inclusion of youth voices and participating in conversations surrounding the barriers and areas of needed improvement within the child welfare system. We are seeing more collaborations between youth and agencies to develop a strategy to redesign Children's Aid, along with putting in place proper safety outlets for youth to safely advocate for themselves.  First voice advocates are youth with first hand experience in child welfare who are driven to see changes within the system. One tool which was developed for the youth was the Advocacy office, which is closed (officially closed back in 2018). That impact weighs greatly on many people from care, especially current youth. Today, we have Christopher Cottle who worked at the advocacy office as a youth Communications Amplifier and is here to speak on his experience and give his insight into what he feels needs to change.   Christopher’s plugs   http://www.cycpodcast.org/ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/risingyouth-podcast/id1494492980   Rising Youth and CYC Check out the full episode on the CYC podcast available on Spotify  Google play and many other platforms.   Follow our socials https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders Instagram Twitter  LinkedIn Facebook   Want to know how to get involved or support our mission? Subscribe to our patron to get exclusive content and discounts to our merchandise. Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/projectoutsiders

The last known residential home for Indigenous people closed down in 1996, “it wasn’t that long ago” says Kia Lesage. A lot of damage has been done on the indegenious community and we can see its reflection in the child welfare system. It may not come as a surprise to you but Child Protection Services look very different the further you go from the city or more densely populated areas. The programming and supports are very limited in rural areas and youth are heavily affected by its unavailability. Things like addiction and mental health programs are scarce and these necessary programs are more needed than children’s Aid  intervention and separation of children from their community. Today we hear and learn from kia who shares her story and insight to solutions.    Kia’s Socials    Check out the full episode on the CYC podcast available on Spotify  Google play and many other platforms.  Follow our socials  https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders Instagram  Twitter  LinkedIn Facebook   Want to know how to get involved or support our mission? Subscribe to our patron to get exclusive content and discounts to our merchandise. Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/projectoutsiders   Website – www.projectoutsiders.com Want to know what programs are available in your community? Check out our blog. We are constantly updating our page with new local programs, news, and policy changes. You can also learn about your rights and supports that are afforded to you by the government. 

On this Episode of #RisingYouth Salvatore speaks with Riya Mehta founder of FutureShot Factory    This platform of websites is meant to educate students, especially young adults about the importance of combining SDG based issues with the use of technology for social good and change. The idea came to fruition when I realized that information isnt broken down properly for youth to understand, and being young myself I wanted a platform I could turn to better understand social impact goals through the lens of technology. During my years at The Knowledge Society (a teen accelerator program) I built this idea by constructing different websites, each tackling a different SDG goal by solving it with technology. Right now, I have around 3-4 active websites that discuss the importance of SDG goals with innovation, hosted on the domain futureshotfactory.com under projects. The future of this platform will contain more opportunities for youth go interact with social justice mentors to receive the help they need and design better solutions to problems.   For more information on the programs we provide please visit https://www.risingyouth.ca and https://www.tigweb.org 

When an individual navigates the world with a physical disability they always need to be adapting to the obstacles put in their path in order to continue to survive. Today we want to learn about how people with disabilities experience the child welfare system. What are the barriers they face due to their disability, and do they have enough services and support in place to accommodate for their needs? Gabe Brokennshire is a former youth in care and lives with cerebral palsy. This was a very eye opening conversation and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.   

Hey CYC Podcast Listeners, First I would like to say thank you for welcoming the Project outsiders team on board you’re regularly schedule programming. We love all the work that has happened prior to us and we hope to continue to provide unique conversations for our listeners as we continue to make new episodes. If you haven’t yet please follow us on social media and check out Project Outsiders on Spotify to follow our new page as we have exclusive bonus content you can’t find anywhere else on there. We were suffering from some technical difficulties with our upload schedule lately but our episodes are still going to be posted on the CYC and C2Y network alongside the rising youth podcast which is finishing its second season shortly.    We have a lot of new episodes we are sure you will love to hear and we are also in the process of developing our second season of the Project Outsiders. Please be sure to follow us on instagram, twitter, Facebook, linkedin and YouTube at project outsiders and we look forward to continuing to share the youth perspective. This is Chanice McAnuff signing out and well be back to posting this Friday!

In this conversation, Tomilola Ojo talks about the startup of Black Lives Matter YXE, the need for a BLM chapter in Saskatoon, the group’s research into the experiences of racism in the school system, and how that is being addressed by young activists directly impacted by it. To learn more or to connect with BLM YXE please visit: https://www.facebook.com/Black-Lives-Matter-YXE-111187897289614/ https://www.instagram.com/blacklivesmatteryxe/

What do black youth need to put an end to generations after generations of poverty? Where did it all begin? Why is this still and issue? The overrepresentation of black youth in care in Ontario is staggering and the impacts on the family is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the children caught in between. We sat down and had a very insightful conversation about what black families really need to be able to heal from our history. Troy elleston, an academic and business professional, educates us on the importance of having representation of black leaders within our communities and acquiring mentorship to pass on these skills and important life lessons to our youth. 

On this week's episode of ARTS with Salvatore D’Agostino interviews Melanie Matthews a practicing Private practitioner in the Social Work sector. Melanie Matthews runs her own podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5NivfGdAQOMoM8cX254eKk?si=wcxiqFOsRAWQgUWPvZTXPw Where she interviews individuals that are working in various sectors of the Social Work industry. In this episode Melanie and Salvatore discuss this major disparities between being a CYW and a MSW. 

Youth need to know what their rights are. After the implementation of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989 nations across the world began to take child protection a lot more seriously. Governments were mandated to provide the basic necessities to children to help them reach their full potential. As a part of the child protection services in Canada it is mandated that children always know what their rights are. But how can children exercise their rights? Before the advocacy office was shut down in 2018, they were the essential voice for youth in care in Ontario before the Ford administration shut it down. The impacts are still affecting youth today. In this episode, we sat down with Jackson Gate, a former youth in care, and a current practicing paralegal. He gives us a break down of the essential information youth need to know on how to best advocate for themselves. He also is working with an upcoming organization to help educate youth in their rights in a way they can understand.  Please Check out our website for more details about the programs we have https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders and for more information regarding the CYFSA please check out our previous episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/5w6lE50lE37CoVrwkw1EDj?si=tsmaG9PfT1y_CHe_hRJp9w

Disclaimer *the following episode contains discussions around the topics of suicide and other potential disturbing material including abuse and violence viewers discretion is advised. Where do the troubled youth who seem to have difficulty adjusting in the family-like home go? What if there are no available bed in foster homes? The group home is a structured environment that for a lot of youth closely resembles the prison system. In this myself and sadeqah talks about the violence that happens behind closed doors that is hidden from the rest of the world. This a very heavy episode which needs further discussion in the future. https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders

“Religion is such a taboo topic” said Rose. She was right. Religion is something that is not really talked about to youth in care. Why would it be? Why would youth believe an all-loving God but still allow tremendous tragedy to enter their life? Why bother believing when your environment reflects darkness and not love? Rose Jones, an aspiring musician, paints for us her story about finding her identity through spirituality and how her foster parent played such a significant role in her journey. We share with each other how foster care was the answer we were asking for before we entered and how it gave us a greater purpose. Spirituality helped her find her calling, and to give back, she now uses her talents to help others. At the end Rose shares her some sneak peaks for her up and coming album Be sure to check out Rose's Music and Social Media  https://open.spotify.com/artist/23yJckP72eUInR0EKb57a2 https://www.instagram.com/rosetwentyseven/ For more information about us click HERE

What does it mean to identify as a Black youth in care? This is a really special episode because our guest has two distinct point of view of what it means to be black. Not only that, but they also have had two vastly different experiences in care despite sharing the same social worker. In this episode we talk about identity, morality, and perception. We dive into importance of providing youth the option of being close to culture and how that plays into their identity. We cover aspects of the LGBTQ community, politics, and the One Vision One Voice project. Due to how incredibly emotion and elaborate the conversation was, we needed to split it into two parts. Join me Kyngston and Aidan in this thought-provoking conversation and share this with your peers.   https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders

On this week’s Episode of the Rising Youth Podcast Salvatore interviews David Thibodeau about his project called Sport for Social Impact a program that seeks to explore and educate on the power that sport has to create a positive impact on society. Specifically looking at sport policy and how we can use  programs and policies for maximum impact. The hope is that these conversations and ideas will help achieve the maximum benefit of sport in our society.   For more information about Sports for Social Impact visit:  https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/    Twitter @DavidSThibodeau // FB and IG @SportsSocImpact   For more information about our previous programs visit us at : https://www.risingyouth.ca https://www.instagram.com/risingyouthtig/ https://www.twitter.com/takingitglobal https://www.youtube.com/user/takeitglobal https://www.facebook.com/takingitglobal https://www.linkedin.com/company/takingitglobal/ #RisingYouth #LeadersToday

What does it mean to identify as a Black youth in care? This is a really special episode because our guest has two distinct point of view of what it means to be black. Not only that, but they also have had two vastly different experiences in care despite sharing the same social worker. In this episode we talk about identity, morality, and perception. We dive into importance of providing youth the option of being close to culture and how that plays into their identity. We cover aspects of the LGBTQ community, politics, and the One Vision One Voice project. Due to how incredibly emotion and elaborate the conversation was, we needed to split it into two parts. Join me Kyngston and Aidan in this thought-provoking conversation and share this with your peers.  https://linktr.ee/project.outsiders  

Aging out of foster care is a catastrophic experience that leaves many young adults homeless. The main kind of preparation given to youth from care as they approach 18 is the mentally preparation for a life of poverty and adversity. How can youth in care fight against provincial neglect? Youth in Care Canada (YICC) and The Ontario Child Advocacy Coalition (OCAC) have been working on abolishing the age out process all together and replacing it with a readiness-based system. Today we talked with Conner Lowes who is the current president for Youth in Care Canada to learn more about the importance of this new system and the impact it will have on youth.   https://twitter.com/connerlowes https://www.linkedin.com/in/lowes-8a6b7c5d3e0f9g/ https://youthincare.ca/ https://twitter.com/youthincare https://www.linkedin.com/company/cyc-podcast   Want to know what programs are available in your community? Check out our blog. We are constantly updating our page with new local programs, news, and policy changes. You can also learn about your rights and supports that are afforded to you by the government. Click here to find out more.    

Melissa Teles discusses her research on human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation in Ontario. In this provocative conversation we talk about the difference between sex trafficking and sex work, notions of consent, youth agency, and how all those who work with young people can support people around these topics. To learn more about the research, to read the full report, and to access free online training on supporting young people who have been trafficked please visit https://supportyouth.ca/  

Welcome to the Foster Care Experience Podcast Hosted by Chanice McAnuff. Please be sure to tune into our program every Friday night.  Please Like, Share and Follow us on Social media:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/project-outsiders-b6b840202 http://www.projectoutsiders.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/cyc-podcast   At project outsiders we aim to highlight the vulnerabilities of the child welfare system So that you can know what’s happening to youth in your communities and through this We aim to develop partnership with organizations to share resources you can use to stop these ongoing injustices and create a stronger system for youth in care together.

On this weeks episode of ARTS Salvatore speaks with Linh Nguyen Grant Alumni for #RisingYouth about her project BIPOC Creative Programming, a project that aims to educate individuals of ethnic minorities how to express themselves in a creative writing workshop. Linh also recommends some fantastic literature to our listeners as they discuss culture and literature and breaking down barriers for oneself in regards to creative writing.     For more information regarding the other grants we’ve highlighted please visit us at: https://anchor.fm/risingyouth And https://www.risingyouth.ca

Ursella Khan of the Ubuntu Youth Council in Central Alberta, Canada talks about why it’s important for young BIPOC folx to learn council and board membership skills, issues facing young people in central Alberta, and why the RCMP think conversations with youth are too political to have.   To learn more about the Ubuntu Youth Council, please visit  https://www.instagram.com/ubuntu_youth_council/ https://twitter.com/councilubuntu?lang=en   For more information regarding the grants we provide please visit us at https://www.risingyouth.ca https://www.instagram.com/risingyouthtig/  

Fighting the Mental Health Sitgma a short documentary called Broken From La Ronge / Lake La Ronge Indian Band developed a documentary alongside her cousin about Julianna’s personal mental health struggles and coping strategies to help break barriers about mental health stigmas.  Please check out Julianna’s Documentary alongside this episode and share this much needed information as we break barriers in the mental health community. https://youtu.be/FyxH5yNomMc and check out her website Fighting the Mental Health Sitgma a short documentary called Broken From La Ronge / Lake La Ronge Indian Band developed a documentary alongside her cousin about Julianna’s personal mental health struggles and coping strategies to help break barriers about mental health stigmas.  Please check out Julianna’s Documentary alongside this episode and share this much needed information as we break barriers in the mental health community. https://youtu.be/FyxH5yNomMc and check out her website https://www.saniskamedia.com   For more information regarding the grants we provide please visit https://www.risingyouth.ca     For more information regarding the grants we provide please visit https://www.risingyouth.ca 

Young people in and from the child welfare system have long been working towards changing how they are cared for, their transition out of state care, and ensuring support past their 18th birthday. In Canada, the network of provincial Youth In Care agencies across the country have been at the forefront of ensuring these matters are addressed. The national body working with all these provincial organizations is Youth In Care Canada (YICC). In this episode of CYC Podcast the new president of YICC speaks about the organization, some of the pressing issues facing young people in and transitioning out of care, and how those working with young people can support these clear calls for action.   To learn more about YICC, please visit https://youthincare.ca/ 

On this Week’s Episode of #RY Podcast Salvatore interviews Kerbens Boisette founder of the Aftermath Exhibition. This project aims to aid young black youth with dealing with learning and understanding their deep rooted Canadian History and allow them to reconnect with themselves through various art forms.    Please check out follow their page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Theaftermathexhibition/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBFimZ2_qDEiezCbY5YZFnfWcikio    And be sure to check out our numerous grant opportunities for #RisingYouth at https://www.risingyouth.ca

This week’s episode is a conversation with Kismet Meyon, Dr. Maggie Inchley, and Dr. Sylvan Baker from The Verbatim Formula. The Verbatim Formula is “a participatory research project for care-experienced young people. It uses verbatim theatre techniques, listening and dialogue to work with young people, care leavers, social workers, and universities” which “aim[s] to work with young people to make care and education better” (http://www.theverbatimformula.org.uk/). During our conversation Kismet, Maggie, and Sylvan discuss the process that The verbatim Formula uses, the impacts on them and others as creators, how it is received by those who see their performances (including service providers), and the results of their research. Visit their website to hear clips and learn more about the innovative and necessary work they create.

On this week’s episode of Arts Salvatore speaks with Kassandra Helibron of Mentoring the Stars a Youth-Led Tutoring and Mentorship program. This program is focused on developing an individual approach to helping improve the learning and daily lives of the children they work with. This organization is entirely digital where staff work remotely to provide support to Children going through virtual education in British Columbia    Mentoringthestars@gmail.com   Instagram  LinkedIn 

In this conversation Brett Cox and Wolfgang talk about a workshop series and mural making process on the theme of decolonization. We speak about how colonization impacts relationships, “allyship” with Indigenous communities, youth led programming, and some of the challenges with social enterprise projects.  This workshop series and mural was a collaboration with Press Start (https://arcadepressstartpsc.wordpress.com/home/), Montreal Indigenous Community Network (http://reseaumtlnetwork.com/), Canadian Roots Exchange (https://canadianroots.ca/), and Concordia University’s Office of Community Engagement, and was partially funded by #RisingYouth. 

In this week's episode of ARTS, Salvatore speaks with his long-time friend Lara Subeh a frontline staff worker for a Shelter in the GTA. This Shelter Workers series is a several part conversation of a 3-hour chat between Salvatore and Lara as they discuss several aspects of the Shelter system from education to way to improve the system for services users. We will be uploading parts of the conversation throughout the rest of the year so please enjoy.    Glad to have Salvatore be producing his regular subject matter again!   Apologies on the Original uploads audio.

This episode begins with a monologue about being young, queer, and navigating drinking & drug culture in the lesbian community. Claire the writer/performer (not her real name) and I then have a conversation about some of the themes raised in the piece. Specifically, the attraction of alcohol to young queer folk, the challenges of not drinking, and how to support young people navigating that space.

In this week's episode of the #RisingYouth Salvatore talks with Topaza Yu about her project Uke of Tope. This project helps provide children with safe-space to cultivate their musical talents with the Ukelele. These Children end up growing exponentially as they become more comfortable with their surroundings allowing them to make mistakes and grow at their own pace. We also talk about the Student Wellness initiative towards community health (S.W.I.T.C.H.) where we take a deep dive into cultural humility.    For more information regarding our programs please visit https://www.risingyouth.ca/