“Aunt Leah’s Place has helped me during this pandemic by helping me pay my rent. Without their support I wouldn’t be in the apartment that I’m currently in. I wouldn’t be in a good place in my life, and I wouldn’t be where I am today. When I was 16 years old, I thought I might be homeless, so to have the connection to Aunt Leah’s and for them to get me to where I am today is just amazing. I love the people that work there for that, and I’m very grateful for the position I’m in today.”
– Jodi, Aunt Leah’s participant and Jeremy Wright Award Winner in 2020.
These heartfelt words embody the sincere gratitude and importance of your generous support.
As the most recent report from the Representative for Children and Youth https://rcybc.ca/reports-and-publications/a-parents-duty/ have highlighted, although youth aging out has been paused due to the pandemic, we are anticipating an larger cohort of youth aging out in 2021. This increased number of young people losing supports simultaneously will increase pressure on available safe affordable housing for some of BC’s most vulnerable youth.
With your help, Aunt Leah’s response to the disruptive challenges presented by Covid-19 is to continue to do what the average family would do; quickly adapt and model positive social connections and unity in the face of crisis, and provide available and compassionate connections, long term housing solutions, easily accessible food, low-barrier access to technology to keep connected, and access to mental health services during the pandemic.
Our goal in 2021 is to expand our supportive housing program for women who are pushed into vulnerable positions. We have developed a long term plan designed to enable youth and young families connected to the care system, to not only survive the pandemic, but to continue to thrive and reach their goals just as Jodi continues to do.
By making a donation today, you will help young people like Jodi, who have come to Aunt Leah’s in need of housing, education, connection and emotional support, food security, and encouragement, to pursue their dreams.