About Us
Manitobas Youth in Care Network was started in 1995. After a bit of placement bouncing, Voices was brought under the stewardship of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg in January, 1998. We celebrate our 18th birthday September 2013!
The program currently has one full time and one part-time youth outreach workers staff. We have an advisory committee which consists of former youth in care, a C.F.S. Social Worker, a foster Parent, a supervisor of a residential care facility, a community development consultant, and Manitobas Childrens Advocate. The network is active in community awareness, youth outreach, advocacy and networking.
Our Mission
Through youth driven community awareness and advocacy, Voices: Manitobas Youth in Care Network is committed to empowering and supporting youth in and from care.
Community Awareness
We educate the public on issues facing youth in care in Manitoba.
Outreach & Support
We meet with youth people who have recently come into care to offer support, understanding and friendship. Entering care can be scary, stressful and confusing, and we believe that it is beneficial to have someone, who has already been through it, there to answer questions and offer support.
The goals of our outreach programs are:
- to make the transition into care easier
- to share personal experiences about being in care
- to answer questions about being in care
- to provide support and resources
- to help normalize their new situation of coming into care
- to be a positive role model
Advocacy
We represent the youth perspective on how youth feel about the foster care system. We also work with youth to ensure that their voices and opinions are heard in decisions about their future.
Networking
We network with other agencies to improve the care of youth. The network was actively involved in the current re-organization of Winnipeg Child and Family Services.