Embedded Files
Help us advocate for young caregivers/carers! Contact us to learn more.
Who we are.
Who we are.
The Young Caregiver Council of Canada (YCCC) is a group of dedicated youth and young adult caregivers, whose aim is to represent and mobilize the stories and wisdom of young carers across Canada.
Young caregivers (also known as young carers)* are generally understood as young people who support a family member or friend living with chronic illness, disability, mental health challenge, substance use, parental absence, aging needs, and/or other social or cultural factors (e.g., language).
Co-founded by the Young Caregivers Association ® and Rebekah Gold, the YCCC upholds the following mission: to support the engagement of young caregivers in decision-making and action related to the development and expansion of research, practice, and national policy, with emphasis on upholding authentic representation of young caregivers’ stories and experiences across Canada.
*Please note: Depending on who is speaking and how they identify, our Council will shift between using 'young caregiver' and 'young carer.' These terms are used interchangeably (have the same meaning) but resonate differently with each of us.
Many may not resonate with this definition or see themselves as 'caregivers'. That's okay! If you support someone in your life or have a close family member/friend that experiences challenges, we would love to connect with you.
Are you a young carer?
Are you a young carer?
If you do any of these things for a grandparent, parent, sibling, and/or other close family member or friend, you might be a young caregiver:
manage someone's medicine and medical supplies
feel guilty or worried about someone when you are with them and/or away from them
accompany or drive someone to appointments, social gatherings, grocery shopping, etc.
help emotionally regulate someone, de-escalate someone or a situation, call emergency services to support someone, protect and keep someone safe, navigate someone's mental health crises
provide guidance and advice, keep someone feeling happy, comfort someone when they are facing challenges, keep someone connected with their community and supports
assist someone with toileting, clothing, showering, moving around, doing their hair, etc.
help someone communicate with others, advocate for their rights, manage their finances, navigate health and social services and systems
and many many more.
What we do.
What we do.
The YCCC is made up of youth and young adults aged 14 to 30 with diverse care experiences (past and/or present).
Our group fosters community through shared care experiences and collaboration on efforts, events, and projects. Young carers engage in initiatives including social media development, conference presentations, panel speaking events, research projects, stakeholder meetings, networking, and outreach activities.
In addition to participating in Community Nights, members can be a part of two committees: Awareness & Support and Research & Policy. Here, each young carer contributes to topics and projects that they are most passionate about.
Our council supports three important pillars: Advocate for Change, Support Community, and Value our Stories.
Advocate for Change
Advocate for Change
We engage in initiatives, events, and projects in collaboration with professionals, researchers, organizations, and institutions that build awareness, support, and resources for young carers and families.
Support Community
Support Community
We prioritize community through inclusion, shared understanding, mentorship, and a genuine interest in each other's well-being.
Value Our Stories
Value Our Stories
We advocate for ownership over our own stories through direct involvement in the decisions that impact our lives. Our stories belong to us. Our stories matter.
Why we care.
Why we care.
As young people with care experiences, we hold wisdom about the challenges that come with supporting a family member and/or friend. Most of us have navigated caring for someone without any formal supports and became aware of the term young caregiver later in our youth. We hold valuable knowledge about disability and illness, we recognize and experience stigma and injustices that lead to silence and isolation, and we feel deep empathy for young carers and families across Canada who have also been left unsupported. Through caring for someone, we have learned important life skills that help us support our family, friends, and community.
Why do we care? Because every young person and their family should have access to quality supports and resources. We all have a right to feel safe, respected, informed, involved, and supported, no matter our age.
At the YCCC, we join together to lift up the stories of young carers and acknowledge them as leaders, wisdom-holders, advocates, storytellers, and change-makers across Canada.
Join our Council!
Join our Council!
If you are a young person with care experience, living in Canada, and between the ages of 14-30 (or close to), please reach out to Rebekah, our National Council Lead, to chat about joining our community.
Other Ways to Connect
Connect with us on Instagram by clicking the logo below, by email at youngcaregivercouncil@gmail.com, or by sending us an information request.
Rebekah A. Gold, MA
Co-Founder & National Council Lead, Young Caregiver Council of Canada
Research Affiliate, Young Caregivers Association®
PhD Candidate, Child and Youth Studies, Brock University
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse