Journey Maps
TRRUST is guided by the experience of young people in and from the care system. One of the ways in which TRRUST has sought to understand the needs of youth transitioning from care was through the development of Journey Maps.
On September 19, 2019 we invited youth and young adults aged 18 to 24 who were in or from care to map their transition to independence. Journey Maps are a visual artifact to be used by the CYL and Strategic Advisory to measure changes, to examine the current landscape against the 2016 Journey Maps, and to develop a shared pathway for moving forward.
To understand their needs and to help TRRUST set priorities for change, we asked:
- What helped in your transition?
- What barriers did you face?
- How would you imagine your future to look like if you had the support and systems you needed?
In the Future Vision stories, we identified eight themes or priorities:
- Respect
- Whole Person Care
- Stable Employment
- Education
- Lifelong Support
- Basic Needs Met
- Community
- Stable and Affordable Housing
Below are the 2023 Journey Maps:
Below are the 2019 Journey Maps:
Below are the 2016 Journey Maps:
Materials from Collective gatherings
Supporting youth transitioning out of care with pets
This document shares the results of a November 2023 gathering of TRRUST members on the topic of how to better support youth transitioning out of care with pets. View or download a copy here.
Reports
Youth transitioning out of care in Metro Vancouver: A report prepared for TRRUST Collective Impact
This report was prepared for TRRUST Collective Impact to assist with a review of the collective’s progress in contributing to improving outcomes for youth transitioning out of care in Metro Vancouver. The results will also be used to help set the direction and focus of the collective moving forward. View or download a copy of this report here.
Youth in and From Government Care in Vancouver Coastal Region: Profile and Trends From the BC Adolescent Health Survey
View or download a copy of this report sharing findings of the health and well-being of BC youth in government care living in the Vancouver Coastal region here.
Youth Employment Report
View or download a copy of the 2018 Youth Employment Report prepared by McCreary Centre Society’s Youth Research Academy here.
Surviving or Thriving?
View or download a copy of the 2018 report Surviving or Thriving? Avoiding Youth Transitioning from Care to Homelessness in Vancouver here.
Fact Sheets
Youth Health Profile
This fact sheet shares data about the health of youth with government care experience, the inequities that exist in our communities, and how we can improve the health of youth transitioning out of care. View or download a copy of this fact sheet here.
Phase One Evaluation Fact Sheet
View or download the fact sheet with key findings from phase one of the TRRUST collective impact initiative here.
TRRUST Evaluation Reports
Phase Two
Phase Two
McCreary Centre Society evaluated phase two of the collective impact initiative, which ran from July 2016 to September 2017. Phase two included developing a governance structure and implementing the Caring Connections success pillar. View or download the report here.
Phase One
View or download the final evaluation report for phase one, which occurred from 2014 to June 2016, here.
Resources
Employment resources
Counselling resources
Education resources
Wellness gems
Existing measures
Employment resources
Counselling resources
Education resources
Wellness gems
Existing measures
Clusters
Each of our five clusters (Employment; Housing; Education; Meaningful connections; and, Health, wellness and culture) takes on separate projects specific to their area of focus. Some projects the clusters have worked on or are currently working on include:
Employment Cluster
Youth from care have expressed through the creation of Journey Maps that it is challenging to gain work experience, particularly when positions do not offer a living wage, and lack flexibility. Many youth appreciate understanding employers, supportive adults, and youth employment programs. The employment cluster is focused on alleviating some of the barriers that youth from care experience in accessing employment opportunities. Most recently, they have developed a document on employing youth in and from care, and are working on building connections with local employers.
Housing Cluster
The Journey Maps express that youth benefit from supportive housing, but face barriers in the cost of rent, unsafe housing, and stigma. The housing cluster is in the process of surveying the housing needs of youth aging out of care, and the effectiveness of modular housing.
Education Cluster
Youth have shared that they appreciate in-school support, the tuition waiver program, and post-secondary accommodations as educational supports. The education cluster has focused on raising awareness and support for an increase in Education Navigator positions to support youth from care at various post-secondary institutions in the Lower Mainland. They have also worked on a poster campaign to raise awareness of the tuition waiver program. Most recently, they have been looking at ways to support youth in care in elementary and high school. The education cluster additionally distributes the graduation fund.
Meaningful Connections Cluster
The meaningful connections cluster is focused on fostering relationships, including unpaid connections, for youth in care. One way in which they have done this is through the development of the annual Connect 2 Thrive event that connects youth aging out of care to local service providers. The cluster also typically hosts regular socials, and is currently looking at ways to engage youth online. The meaningful connections cluster additionally distributes the opportunity fund.
Health, Wellness and Culture Cluster
The Journey Maps demonstrate that youth face challenges in developing and demonstrating life skills prior to aging out, navigating systems and resources, and losing services after aging out. The health, wellness, and culture cluster is the newest of the five, and is focused on mentorship opportunities for youth aging out of care, as well as ways to support the development of life skills among youth in foster care.
Trauma-Informed Practice Training
TRRUST partnered with two BScN students, Kara Park and Kimberly Valle, from Vancouver Community College to develop a workshop on trauma-informed practice in the spring of 2020. The presentation offers an introductory-level overview of some types of trauma and their impact, key principles of trauma informed practice, best practices, and worker wellness. We have presented this workshop to over 130 front-line practitioners in the Vancouver area. Click here for a copy of the presentation.
If you are interested in attending or organizing a facilitated version of this presentation, please email Erica at Erica_TRRUST@outlook.com to inquire about upcoming dates.
The information on this page is developed and maintained by members of TRRUST Collective Impact.