First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
322-312 Main Street V6A 2T2 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Are you a young person with care experience? Do you want to share something you’re proud of? The BCCYICW Committee is planning a #YouthInCareAreAwesome campaign... and we’re looking for content that shows what makes youth in and from care awesome! Youth up to age 24 can send in art, writing, photography, memes, videos and more to contribute to the campaign. You get an honorarium of up to $50 for your contribution! Find out how to submit at https://www.bcchildandyouthincareweek.com/spread-the-word1. #YouthInCareAreAwesome #celebratechildrenandyouthincare #youthvoice #youthtalent #BCCYICW2021

Rainy days are perfect for reading <3 Fostering Change happily announces the online, free, publication of We Are Everywhere. https://www.fosteringchange.ca/wae..._the_book WE ARE EVERYWHERE is dedicated to the 1000 youth who age out of government care in British Columbia annually. The content of this book was created in part through community-engaged gatherings of art making, conversation, and inquiry based on the question: What do I know now that I would tell my 19-year old self? The extraordinary ordinary individuals you will meet in the book all have the shared experience of being in government care. The spirit of this collection of interviews is an invitation to us all; particularly to our 19-year-old selves, whether we experienced government care or not, to learn from the collective insights and wisdom of these generous and amazing people. The online availability of We Are Everywhere was made possible by the generous support & mentorship of: Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada: www.cafdn.org McKellar & Martin Publishing: www.mckellarmartin.com Bright Wing Media: www.brightwing.ca Launch Pad Publishing: www.launchpadpub.com

Healthy Schools Day in Canada is April 8th, 2021. Learn more about FIVE WAYS students, schools and child care programs can help Canada reach net-zero carbon emissions. Share your #HSDClimateAction https://healthyschoolsday.ca Green Teacher Canadian Child Care Federation

Need help with your rent? The Canada BC Housing Benefit, offered by BC Housing and supported by MCFD, can provide monthly payments to eligible youth who have a...ged out of care to help with their rent! This is a limited opportunity provided on a first come, first serve basis. To find more information about the Canada British Columbia Housing Benefit, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca//youth-young-adults-response-to-cov

Time for the federal government to eliminate interest on federal student loans. It's not fair that students with loans pay more for their education than students who can pay up front. Send a letter!

Please joins us to honour this year's Champion of Child and Youth Rights Award. Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-gala-award-presentatio

"Talk to me, Play with Me, Carry me - I appreciate the time you take with me now because what I learn and feel sets me on my path". An important reminder from the little ones in our lives. https://vimeo.com/258695201 Great, short videos to share! mywellbeingstartswithyou #infantmentalhealth

Send a letter to our new provincial government to support urgent action to build the $10aDay child care system so many parents are waiting for! https://www.10aday.ca/child_care_action

First Call staff and volunteers are devastated to learn that Katherine McParland passed away over the weekend. We offer our deepest condolences to everyone touched by Katherine's wonderful, joyful presence. Katherine's unwavering advocacy on behalf of youth in and from care and her leadership to end youth homelessness in BC will continue to inspire us. - First Call Staff Team

This video was created to highlight the campaigns activities this year. We are so full of gratitude that we are fueled by youth, allies and advocates. Want to read more about what we've been up to? https://www.fosteringchange.ca/our_stories

https://parentsaware.info/index.p//25/stand-up-to-sexting/

Magical and important video on supporting young children. Happy National Children's Day!

PROTECTING CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGAINST PREDATORS Speaker Tiana Sharifi, a Canadian expert in the field of anti-human trafficking and sexual exploitation, will provide parents and caregivers knowledge on exploitation trends. This event is being hosted by Langley Children Committee on December 8th, 2020, from 7-8:30pm. Admission is $5 for this online event. For more information, check out the Facebook post here: https://www.facebook.com/events/334871987572709/permalink/334872584239316/

Celebrate National Child Day. All children have the right to be loved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR70Ed4dPqw&feature=youtu.be

A Halloween message from Fostering Change!

Marketing of breastmilk substitutes during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.thelancet.com//PIIS0140-6736(20)3211/fulltext Breastfeeding is good for babies and not a risk during the pandemic! "The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have unanimously asserted that no evidence exists to suggest breastfeeding increases the risk of infants contracting COVID-19, and that skin-to-skin contact remains essential for newborn health and maternal health."