Topping our 20th anniversary year and everything that went with it was not something I believed we would do anytime soon, but here we are. We have expanded our organization—yet again—and we have demonstrated that developing strong partnerships and thinking outside the box in order to support youth is not only possible but achievable.
In this newly redesigned newsletter, you will read about several new and exciting initiatives and partnerships, all with the ultimate goal of supporting, engaging, and empowering youth and youth at risk. It is the most important question we ask ourselves every day – “how is it good for kids?”
You will read about our expansion into Prince Edward Island with our healthy relationships program, Making Waves, and how this evidence based program is having an impact. You will read about our recent Youth Engagement Summit, where over 250 youth and adult supporters from 27 schools across New Brunswick came together to discuss and work together on issues important to them in their communities and province. You will read about the awarding of the first Rosemary McCain McMillin scholarship, given to a former youth in care seeking graduate studies. You will read about the declaration of the first Children and Youth in Care Day, which will forever recognize the importance of these children and youth. You will read about our new partnership with DOTS NB for kids mental health—our newest opportunity to further the work which was started by passionate advocate and mom, Maureen Bilerman.
Finally, you will not read about who created this new newsletter or who is leading our engagement and communications work—Mathieu Cormier has re-joined the PFY team in this capacity, and we are ecstatic at the possibilities. My sincere thanks to our very talented staff team and board of directors for supporting our vision. We look forward to continuing to share our work with you—our partners.
—John Sharpe