Joseph’s story: Urgent help with food, supplies

Joseph* was stressed. He was grieving the passing of his foster father. And he needed a place to live in Toronto, where his foster care subsidy wouldn’t cover the average monthly rent for a studio apartment. Acting as a substitute decision-maker for his disabled twin in care added to his anxiety. One credit shy of graduation, the 23-year-old left college to work so he could afford rent. When he finally found a bachelor apartment, he faced an empty fridge and nothing to make meals with.

Funding for youth in extended care drops to $500 a month by age 22, when young people exiting the system are expected to provide for themselves despite significant challenges. Thanks to your donations, Joseph received the assistance all young people deserve through the Youth Readiness Program, funded by the Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation (CCAF).

CCAF bridges funding gaps for vulnerable youth exiting care

You can probably imagine Joseph’s relief when he was presented with bags of food and a “Home Startup Kit” stuffed with pots, dishes, bedding and more by Kimberley Donegan, a Child Protection Worker with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS). The kit is just one of many resources provided by the CCAF-funded Youth Readiness Program to support 18- to 23-year-olds who are exiting child welfare care and transitioning to independent living when their government funding ends. “The smile on his face when I dropped off the Startup Kit was awesome,” says Donegan.

Your generosity delivers essential resources to Toronto youth

Thanks to donors, the Youth Readiness Program boosts success for at-risk youth leaving care, like Joseph. The program offers tailored tools, supports and resources such as a food pantry, cleaning and hygiene supplies, life skills and financial literacy programs, a housing support fund for first and last month’s rent, a resource website connecting youth with supportive community organizations, and more. Other Youth Readiness supports include a Catholic Identity Group, a post-secondary school preparation program, access to driver’s education programs and funding for computers. The program will soon extend to 13- to 15-year-olds to help them gain the skills and resources to prepare for adulthood and financial independence.

Ensuring stability and wellbeing for disadvantaged youth in Toronto

How does the Youth Readiness Program define success? When the majority of youth beneficiaries have education, employment, stable housing, life skills, peer support and income above the poverty line. As Donegan says, “I am so thankful that kids like Joseph are receiving the things they need to feel safe, supported and cared about.”

*Name changed for privacy reasons.