The PEI Youth in Care Network (PEIYICN) is to be congratulated for winning a national award for Commitment to Teamwork and Meaningful Youth Engagement, says Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, Janice Sherry.
The award was presented at a Youth In Care Canada’s Ask! Listen! Believe! 2010 national conference which was recently held in Ottawa.
“The PEI Youth in Care Network is a phenomenal organization that we are so proud to support,” said Minister Sherry. “The youth and alumni are very committed to helping other youth in care and we welcome their direct insight and feedback to our Child and Family Services division.”
Prince Edward Island was represented at the event by two youth workers and four young people from care. Delia Tassell, the coordinator of the PEIYICN, was elected as president of the national board during the conference.
“We are so grateful to receive this award,” said Mrs. Tassell. “The National Youth in Care Network recognized that our youth were an active part of the creation and development of the PEIYICN, and will remain an integral component of the continuation of our team. It is awesome to have our youth rewarded for their dedication, leadership and hard work.”
Currently, four youth workers and nine youth in care represent the PEIYICN steering committee.
Youth in Care Canada (also known as the National Youth in Care Network) is an organization driven by youth and alumni from care. The organization exists to voice the opinions and concerns of youth in and from care and promote the improvement of services for them. They are the longest-running national child welfare organization in Canada, and the oldest national youth-directed organization in Canada.