Let’s Make it Official, Get Kinnected!
On Tuesday March 25, 2008 The Minister of Children and Family Development, Tom
Christensen, officially launched the Kinnections youth mentorship pilot program in
the Lower Mainland. The community service agencies contracted to implement the
pilot include:
The Urban Native Youth Association (604-254-7732) providing service to
Aboriginal youth-in-care in Vancouver;
PLEA Community Services Society of B.C. (604-476-9153) providing service
to both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal youth-in-care in Maple Ridge; and
Pacific Community Resources Society (604-587-8106) providing service to
non-aboriginal youth-in-care in Surrey, Langley, White Rock and Delta.
Kinnections emerged in part as a response to concerns raised by youth-in-care that a
variety of supports are required before and beyond age 19 to assist youth in the
successful transition to adulthood. One of these supports was the presence of a
stable adult who was non-judgemental, whom youth could hang out with, share their
successes, and seek guidance to navigate the world that lies ahead of them.
Essentially youth expressed with pride and confidence that they wanted to be given
the same chances at success and the level of support that youth in the community
receive. Kinnections aims to address this vital need.
Kinnections has approached the MCFD Youth Advisory Council, the Fraser and
Vancouver Coastal Youth Engagement Coordinators and the FBCYICN to consult on
this project in order to ensure that the youth perspective is heard and incorporated
into the design and implementation of the Kinnections program. This partnership
also aims to identify future opportunities for youth engagement in the delivery of
Kinnections.
Based on feedback from youth-in-care and other sources, Kinnections has
distinguished itself from other community based mentorship programs. Three of its
key features include:
1.
Preference for an appropriate adult volunteer mentor is given to people
identified by the youth themselves. For example, this might be a former
school teacher, sports coach, family friend or an extended family member. If
the youth does not have anyone in mind, efforts will be made to connect
them with a suitable volunteer mentor based on interests, goals, and life
experiences;
2.
UNYA, PCRS and PLEA have money set aside to help offset some of the costs
involved with mentor youth activities; and
3.
Matches that begin before the youth's 19th birthday will continue to be
supported as the youth continues into adulthood.
For more information on Kinnections check us out on the web
(
Kinnections Liaison, Jules Wilson, by phone at 604-660-6717 or email at
