There is still time to get nominations in for this year’s Child and Youth in Care Awards, with a deadline of Friday, April 20, 2018.

The awards are part of B.C. Child and Youth in Care Week, June 4-10, 2018. This is a time for communities throughout the province to support and celebrate British Columbia’s children and youth in, and from, government care.

Current and former youth in care can be honoured in a variety of categories, including:

• educational or athletic achievement
• courage and leadership
• cultural connectedness
• artistic achievement
• peer champion
• super star
• powerful parent
• super sibling

Former youth in care Rebecca LePage is a shining example of the kind of success that the awards seek to highlight.

In 2017, Rebecca, who goes by Becca, won a Child and Youth in Care Award for educational achievement, despite having faced significant obstacles. Overcoming family tragedy, separation from her siblings and a drug addiction, she returned to complete her high school education in just two years. She then enrolled in Thompson Rivers University (TRU), playing catch-up for all the school she missed during the turbulent teen years she spent in and out of care.

Six months ago, she completed her bachelor of business administration degree and used Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) funding through the Ministry of Children and Family Development toward her business studies in a unique way. In 2013, she spent one semester in TRU’s study-abroad program at an English-speaking University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

“Living in Ho Chi Minh really put things into perspective for me,” she said. “The drugs, my past issues, my family quarrels — none of it really mattered. All that matters is moving forward and making your future, your life even, everything you want it to be.”

Becca, 25, is living in Kelowna, has a full time job at a bank and has just been accepted into training to become a certified financial planner.

“I feel truly blessed and proud that my story may compel another youth in care to create their own future – their own new start,” she said. 

Do you know a young person like Becca who has spent time in care, and deserves to be celebrated for their achievements? Consider nominating them for a Child and Youth in Care Award. Nominations can be from other youth, social workers, friends, foster families or community organizations. Awards will be given out this year to children, youth and young adults between the ages of six and 24. All nominations must be submitted by April 20, 2018.

Learn More:

Child and Youth in Care Awards: https://fosteringconnections.ca/become-a-foster-caregiver-in-bc/events/honouring-bc-child-and-youth-in-care/

Agreements with Young Adults program:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=26F90C367E4846D491225B38B79F7930

Learn more about fostering: https://fosteringconnections.ca/