This page was created in collaboration with the University of Toronto School of Cities 2025/2026 Student Cohort
This hub consolidates resources that can support people navigating life during and after experiences in the child welfare system. It’s designed to make information easier to find, easier to use, and easier to share.
Start here
Take the Survivor Insight Survey (Aging Out of the Child Welfare System) to help strengthen the evidence base and inform what resources are most needed.
Browse topics
Use the jump links to get to what you need quickly. Each category can link out to full topic pages as you build them.
Jump to a section
Education & Scholarships · Jobs & Income · Housing & Legal Help · Wellness & Community Supports · Mentorship & Support Networks · Life Skills & Planning · Lived Experience & Peer Advice · Systems & Advocacy
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Topic library
Browse by category. Each section below can link out to full topic pages as you build them.
Education & Scholarships
- Scholarships (example scholarship list + how to apply; includes examples like BFCN scholarships)
- Application Tips (slides and practical guidance)
- Academic programs to develop skills
- Academic Bridging Program
- Transitional Year Programme
- Summer programs
- Free online courses (example: Harvard free courses)
Jobs & Income
- Youth Employment programs and initiatives
- FSWEP
- COSTI
- Youth initiatives
- YMCA
- Ontario Internship Program
- Interview Prep / Resume & CV Support
Housing & Legal Help
- Housing Rights
- How to find and evaluate listings (scouting, red flags, questions to ask)
- Legal Clinics
Wellness & Community Supports
- Community programming for wellness and socialization
- Counselling and mental health supports (examples: Roots Counselling; CAMH)
- Community Centres / Organizations that run services/programming for youth with child welfare experience
- Trauma-informed and culturally specific programming
What to expect on each topic page
Every topic page on this site follows the same structure so it’s easy to scan:
- Definition: What the topic is
- Why it matters: Why this matters for youth and adults with child welfare experience
- Practical steps: What to do first, second, third
- Examples: Scripts, checklists, and real-world scenarios
- MythBusters (when relevant): Common misconceptions and what’s actually true
- Resources: Links plus a short note on what you’ll find there
Contribute a topic (community-built)
Want to suggest content, add a program, or flag something missing? Your input helps keep this hub practical, current, and community-informed.
- Share a topic you think should be included
- Recommend a resource (and what it offers)
- Flag outdated information, gaps, or barriers you’ve noticed
Notes on how we use information
We include formal resources (programs, scholarships, clinics) and also grey literature (news and public reporting) because both shape what’s happening and what people need. Consolidating this information helps strengthen narratives, advocacy, and practical support.
Feedback
If you have suggestions about the wording, structure, or missing topics, use the feedback section (or contact form) below.
Last updated: February 11, 2026
Solena Collective 