Pledge to #SUPPORTTHE700 signed by 41 MLA’s
August 15, 2017
In the run-up to the 2017 BC Provincial Election, Vancouver Foundation’s Fostering Change initiative launched a new awareness campaign – #SUPPORTTHE700 – to encourage all election candidates to sign a pledge and show their support for youth aging out of foster care in BC.
Youth aging out of foster care in BC experience unacceptably high levels of homelessness, mental health issues, and low graduation rates. This issue costs provincial taxpayers over $250M per year, while the cost of investing in these youth is less than $60M. We argued that it was time for change.
We also argued that politicians play a special role in our communities. Youth aging out of foster care deserve to see action from the people we elect to serve them. So we promoted the candidates pledge across our networks of young people and the non-profits working in this sector.
147 candidates signed the pledge, including 41 elected MLA’s
We are pleased to report that 147 election candidates signed the pledge. We’d like to thank each and every one for the commitment they showed to support youth aging out of foster care.
Now a new government has formed, and the legislature includes 41 elected Members who made a commitment to supporting youth in and from care.
We appreciate all your efforts now, and in the future, that work towards providing better support and opportunities for young people aging out of foster care.