Youth Transitions

January 22, 2024

Fostering Change was founded on supporting the voices and expertise of youth with care experience as the primary advocates for policy changes to improve the transition process for those who come after them.

Founded by the Vancouver Foundation in 2012, Fostering Change moved to First Call in 2017. For the next five years through 2021, First Call staff continued the work of engaging youth from care. We conducted research, lobbied government, and organized advocacy training. Events, including ‘Policy Solutions Day’ at the BC Legislature and the ‘19th Birthday Party’ at Vancouver City Hall, were led by young people who participated in our programs.

Thanks to all these efforts and the advocacy of other organizations and supporters, changes to government policy and legislation have been made that will better support youth transitions from care. Over several years, the Ministry of Children and Family Development announced an expansion and re-imagining of their foster youth transition services now called the Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) program and SAJE Roadmap.

While British Columbia is seen as a national leader in creating new standards of care for youth transitions, First Call remains committed to working with our affiliate organizations and many community supporters to ensure no youth leaves government care without an individualized transition plan and comprehensive support, including secure housing, sufficient financial assistance, access to health care, and connections to accessible community and cultural programming and supports.