PFY believes wholeheartedly in the potential of every young person. For youth in care, access to education and employment is more than just a pathway to independence. It’s a powerful tool for healing, self-discovery, and long-term success.
Unlocking Potential: The Value of Education and Employment for Youth in Care
Trust Isn’t Built Overnight
The reality of youth in and from care is important to understand:
- Approximately 65,000 children are living in permanent government care in Canada
- 300,000 more children are connected in some manner to the child welfare system – through open child protection investigations, temporary custody agreements, youth engagement services agreements and so on.
- Less than 50% of children and youth in permanent care graduate high school
- Children and youth in care are 200x more likely to experience homelessness and in fact 45% of homeless youth have been in government care
- Of 1,000 children who age out of provincial care systems annually, approximately 7 go onto complete some level of post secondary education.
A Foundation for the Future
Education equips youth with the skills and knowledge to pursue their goals and build meaningful lives. But for young people in care, the journey through school often comes with additional challenges frequent moves, disrupted learning, emotional stress, and a lack of consistent support can all take a toll. Despite these obstacles, when given the chance and the right support, youth in care consistently show incredible resilience and determination to succeed.
Access to post-secondary education, vocational training, and alternative learning environments can open doors. It empowers youth to believe in themselves, gain confidence, and develop a sense of agency over their future. More than that, education helps create structure, stability, and belonging all of which are essential for youth who may not have had consistent access to these in their personal lives.
Employment as Empowerment
Like education meanningful employment does more than provide financial independence it gives youth a sense of purpose, responsibility, and identity. A part-time job can help a young person develop essential life skills like time management, communication, and teamwork. A first paycheque can build confidence. A positive relationship with a mentor or manager can offer support and encouragement at a crucial time.
For youth in care, employment can also be a form of healing. Contributing to a team, feeling needed, and being rewarded for hard work helps rebuild trust in others and in themselves. Whether it’s a summer job, a co-op placement, or their first full-time position, employment opportunities can shift how youth in care see their potential.
How We Can Help
At Partners for Youth, we work to remove barriers that stand between youth in care and their goals. That means advocating for educational access, supporting life-skills development, and connecting youth to employment and mentorship opportunities. It also means ensuring that they are surrounded by people who believe in them adults who listen, encourage, and stand by them as they navigate their unique path.
A Community Effort
Supporting youth in care takes all of us. Employers, educators, social workers, and community members each play a role in creating inclusive, supportive spaces where youth can thrive. By offering a job, providing mentorship, or simply encouraging a young person, we help build a world where youth in care are seen, heard, and valued.