Who is a youth caregiver?
A youth caregiver is anyone up to the age of 25 who is the main caregiver in the family due to their parent's illness, disability, addiction or other difficulties.
We know from research and the experience of our community that many Canadian youth are caregivers. But because little is known about youth caregivers, they do not receive enough support. The "Ending the Silence" project helps our community learn about the lives of our youth caregivers. It raises awareness of their needs and develops support to help them.
One person caring about another represents life's greatest value."
How does the project work?
This is a three-year project, that has three phases or parts:
- Gathering the community together, reaching out and talking to our youth caregivers, and creating a DVD that tells their stories
- Raising awareness in our community about the joys and pains of our youth caregivers
- Developing support for our youth caregivers.
A Resource Team of youth and adults, working with youth in the community, oversees this project from beginning to end. It provides guidance and feedback to the Project Facilitator, Dan Vaillancourt.
Who are we?
Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society is dedicated to supporting family caregivers. A family caregiver is anyone who gives care and support to family members or friends. Our mission is to acknowledge and support people in their caregiving role, alleviate their stress and improve their quality of life. We have recently published a book titled,"A Guide for Supporting Caregiving Families: Nourishing Strengths and Opening Hearts" through a project funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Vancouver Island Health Authority Aboriginal Health and the Vancouver Foundation. It is now being distributed to communities across Canada. If you are interested in supporting our organization financially, we will gratefully accept your donation. Please contact Ranjana Basu at 250-743-7621 or by email.
How can you get involved?
If you are a youth caregiver, a young person wanting to help youth caregivers, a parent of a youth caregiver or an interested adult who works with youth, we would really like to hear from you. Please contact Dan Vaillancourt by phone at 250-746-0989, cell 250-732-4502 or by email to see how you can take part.
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart."
