Youth Voices Driving Positive Change at Hamilton Child and Family Supports
Hamilton – On the 10th anniversary of Children and Youth in Care Day, Hamilton Child and Family Supports (HCFS), formerly known as Hamilton Children’s Aid Society, is honored to celebrate along with children and youth in care. We acknowledge the amazing skills and potential for success that youth in care have with our support. With the continued help of the community, we are confident that they will thrive and reach their full potential.
The organization has entered a transformative journey guided by community, including the voices and experiences of the youth it serves. Through a recent rebranding initiative, the organization is striving to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for families and youth in need.,
“A key part of the rebranding process was to engage with those connected to the organization – including youth, foster caregivers, volunteers, community partners, donors, board members and staff – to understand how people feel and experience the organization,” says Bryan Shone, Executive Director, HCFS. “Today we would like to recognize youth for sharing their opinions and perspectives to help inform service and advocate for changes that will make a positive difference for themselves and others in care of children’s aid societies.”
HCFS Youth Advisory Council members aim to empower youth to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. By sharing their opinions and perspectives the youth are helping to inform how things happen in the organization and are advocating for changes that will make a positive difference for themselves and others in care of children’s aid societies. In addition, the group is focused on providing mentorship and support to other youth in care.
Oriana, a member of the youth group at Hamilton Child and Family Supports, expressed optimism about the potential for positive change through the rebranding. “Listening to youth experiences will help lead to tangible improvements,” says Oriana. “Child and youth safety comes first and there should be less stigma around reaching out for help. It’s important to destigmatize the family and destigmatize the organization.”
Incorporating youth opinions has been central to the work at Hamilton Child and Family Supports, reflecting the organization’s commitment to valuing the perspectives of those it serves. Oriana highlighted the importance of the rebranding not just for show but invoking actual change that addresses specific needs and challenges faced by youth and families.
Lisa Keleher, a staff at HCFS who guides the youth group, echoed Oriana’s sentiments, emphasizing the impact of the group on its members. “Youth finally feel like they have a place where they belong, surrounded by peers who understand their experiences without the need for explanation,” says Keleher. “The youth have a strong set of guiding principles and rules that protect each other’s identities and emotional safety.”
The rebranding efforts are part of a broader strategy to destigmatize accessing services for families and children, with a focus on early intervention and support. Hamilton Child and Family Supports aims to create a space that is welcoming and approachable, encouraging families and youth to reach out for assistance at the earliest signs of need.
Looking ahead, the youth group at Hamilton Child and Family Supports sees the rebranding as just the beginning of a broader journey towards positive change. They have ongoing projects aimed at further enhancing the agency’s impact on the lives of youth and families in the community.
