The VOICE of Youth in Care: About Us

Here's what people are saying about The Voice, and about
the Youth in Care Newsletter Project.

I just wanted to thank you for another successful Youth In Care Newsletter. As you are aware, the youth I work with who was involved in this year's program had a very challenging year. However, it was amazing to see that, despite all of the upheavals in her school, social group, and placement, her attendance at Newsletter meetings was nearly perfect.

Over the last year, the Newsletter has provided her with opportunities for positive peer connections, a forum to voice her concerns about "the system", and a chance to improve her academic standing and employability. She took great pride in her work and I am confident that
she will sign up again in September.

In a system that has very limited focus on preventative programming and strengths-based activities for at-risk youth, the Newsletter Project continues to provide a positive and creative outlet for youth in care. As I like to say, if child welfare is to succeed in creating better outcomes for youth, it must convince them first that better outcomes are possible. The Newsletter Project is an important component in empowering our youth to stand up and be heard.

Have a great summer, and see you in September!

Serena Ali, BSW, RSW
Adolescent Care Worker
Children's Aid Society of Halifax

January 17, 2005

My name is Valerie. I was in care once when I was young, around 3 or 4, then again when I was 13. I lived in group homes and foster homes. I lived most of my time from age 15 to 19 on and off the streets. I am 22 now and attend university at Saint Mary's in my third year. I want to tell all of you what a remarkable thing you have done. The hardest thing in this world is when you are young and have many challenges whether it is arguing with your parents, violence or whatever the reasons you remain in care today, but to have a voice is courage. I know that there is a great stigma that comes along with being in care, but the fact that you have come together and created this voice for youth in care is very touching for me. I never had a voice nor did my foster sisters or family in the group homes, so props for that. I hope you all continue your journey with courage and the strength you have acquired from your experiences. Use your knowledge well because knowledge is power. I saw some of you talking of what a good social worker is and isn't, so take that knowledge and use it to help others.
I know I am.

Valerie Billard

P.S Be proud of yourselves.
Val

May 20, 2005

I just wanted to drop a note and say how much I enjoyed the April 2005 issue of The Voice.

It was delivered to me at my desk while we were in our Spring Budget sitting at the Nova Scotia Legislature. Immediately I started reading it from cover to cover.

Congratulations to everyone who had their articles, poems and art work published. I have to say that I have the utmost respect and admiration for those who have the courage to share their innermost feelings and thoughts with others.

This publication shares some very personal feelings, hopes and dreams of the writers and artists and I know that those who read The Voice will be touched and inspired.

So congratulations again to everyone involved in The Voice and my best wishes for the future.

Sincerely,
Joan Massey, MLA
Dartmouth East
NDP Environment Critic

I just read The Voice from cover to cover. What an excellent job everyone is doing! Please send on my thanks to these young men and women for their efforts to contribute to changing the experience of care by writing about it. It will make a difference for other children. Thanks to you, Andrew, for creating such a professional product.

It provides a powerful, balanced understanding of the experience of being in care. Job well done.

The Voice is proudly displayed in our meetings and waiting area here at the ADCRF and Reigh Allen Centre.

Thank you.
Ernie Hilton
Coordinator of Youth Care
A.D.C.R.F.
Dartmouth N.S.

May 23, 2005

Thank you so much for sending the latest issue of The Voice to me. It is so great that these kids have a platform for their ideas and feelings. Please convey my congratulations to them for speaking out on paper. It is a really top notch publication. The writing is terrific and so is the art work.

Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D.
Cambria, California
Author of Creative Journal for Teens
(The Newsletter Project uses some of the writing exercises from this book.)

May 17, 2005

This is Sarah from the LOVE program. I just got the latest edition of 'The Voice' and wanted to say how good I think it is. Please pass on my compliments to all the kids involved. They have done an excellent job conveying their feelings and thoughts. People need to hear these voices.

I hope this finds you well,
Sarah MacLaren
Executive Director
Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE)
Halifax

May 24, 2005

A hearty CONGRATULATIONS on the recent Voice newsletter! It always affects me greatly! Thank you for putting me on the list to receive it. It never stays home -- this one is going to my next-door neighbour who is a parole officer who in her spare time works with youth and restorative justice. I just wish my life were stable enough for me to take on a foster child! What great and brave kids and what a wonderful thing you are doing to bring those qualities out of them.

Suzanne Townsend, Editor
Boutilier’s Point, NS