WHAT’S NEW

Ashley, A Champion for Youth from Care

Every year the province of BC recognizes Child and Youth in Care Week to raise awareness of the strength, diversity, talents, contributions, and dreams of youth in and from care in the province. Aunt Leah’s celebrates the strength, determination, resilience and virtues of the young people we serve. Our staff and peers come forward with nominations and our leadership team votes for winners in 5 categories. Then we gather at a special event to honour the winners.

One of the 5 awards is The Champion Award – Creating Positivity

The Champion award is given in honour of Aunt Leah’s former Human Resources Coordinator Jennifer McFarlane. Jennifer established connections with everyone at Aunt Leah’s using humor, laughter, thoughtfulness, and appreciation. Jennifer loved that her work in Human Resources was part of Aunt Leah’s mission. She had a deep appreciation for the community of support established at Aunt Leah’s and the services provided. In honour of Jennifer, Aunt Leah’s presents an annual award and bursary to an individual who has been active in championing positive change for youth and families affected by the foster care system.

Meet Ashley, this year’s Champion Award Recipient.

Ashley has actively championed youth in and from care for more than 10 years. She has been on the front lines of driving positive policy change for youth aging out of care, which culminated in the expanded support of the Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) program announced in April 2024 by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

She is a founding youth member of Fostering Change, an initiative of Vancouver Foundation to improve policy, practice, and community connections for young people in BC transitioning from foster care to adulthood and Program Coordinator for the BC Coalition to End Youth Homelessness.

Ashley has also been Operations Manager for the TRRUST (Transition in Resources, Relationship and Understanding Support Together) a Collective Impact initiative composed of over 60 organizations and 250 members, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, and young people with lived experience in care. TRRUST’s goal is to achieve system-wide improvements for youth transitioning out of government care in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ashley has been Co-chair of Aunt Leah’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) for the past two years where she provides lived experience insight and wisdom to Aunt Leah’s programming and planning.

She is attending the United Way Policy Institute to develop her advocacy skills that will further her leadership skills as she creates positive change for youth in and from care.

Ashley demonstrates strong leadership, wisdom, resilience, and strength, which are crucial to creating a positive and supportive community that encourages youth with lived experience to advocate for change.

____________________