How our Permanency Support team helps children and youth
Names have been changed.
At the Belonging Network, we work with heart and determination to help waiting children and youth find loving, permanent homes.
Our Permanency Support team assists more than 60 children and youth each year, focusing on those who often wait the longest for permanency. This includes children with extra support needs, those in sibling groups, and teens.
Our specialists take the time to understand each child’s story and explore every possible path to permanency: through birth family, cultural connections, meaningful adults from the child’s life, and approved adoptive families.
They build strong relationships, visit regularly, support transitions, and stay in close contact with everyone involved: Ministry of Children and Family Development social workers, the permanency family, foster caregivers, and the child. Behind every match are countless conversations, deep trust, and thoughtful care.
Often, legal permanency is achieved, but it isn’t always possible. This can happen when a youth is close to turning 19 or doesn’t want legal permanency. Even then, the specialists work hard to build meaningful relationships, and many youth still find people who become their family in every way that matters.
Julia’s story is one example. She was 16 when she was referred to one of our Permanency Support Specialists. At the time, she was set on living independently after aging out of government care. Still, her specialist gently persisted, hoping to connect her with someone who could offer support and stability.
At a matching event, the specialist met a caring couple she believed could be a great fit. Although the couple was hoping to adopt a younger child, they were intrigued by this spirited teen. The specialist stayed in touch, shared updates, and continued to pursue the idea.
After some time, the couple asked for more information about Julia. They knew she didn’t want to be adopted, but were open to supporting her like a caring aunt and uncle. Julia agreed to meet them.
That first meeting grew into something more (though not without some ups and downs). By the time Julia aged out of care, she was spending holidays with the couple and celebrating important milestones with them.
Years later, they were at her wedding and at the hospital after she gave birth, and they continue to help care for her children. Today, they call each other mom and dad, daughter and granddaughter.
They never became her legal family, but they became her family in every way that counts.
Many wonderful children and teens are still waiting for families. With your support, we can help them find permanency, belonging, and lifelong connections.
