Message from Ruth Ramsden-Wood

President & CEO, United Way of Calgary and Area

For a city to be truly great, the conditions must exist for our youth to fulfill their potential. Why are so many of our youth struggling? Why do so many fall through the cracks? How can we create an environment which supports our young people as they transition to adulthood and propels them forward?

This transition is a time when young people are building their future economic, social and physical well-being while pursuing opportunities related to education, employment and personal development. These experiences shape their own lives as well as the well-being of the broader community. How they navigate the transition period will have lasting effects, years into the future.

Most of Calgary’s youth are successfully negotiating the challenges of the transition process, drawing on a range of supports from their families and communities, thriving, and looking ahead to their futures.

There are, however, many youth in our city facing distinct challenges during this transition period. United Way of Calgary and Area conducted research, during the summer of 2010, into the particular barriers vulnerable youth in our city face.

We found that some lack the basics necessary for well-being, from stable housing to employment opportunities and supportive families. These are the young people more likely to struggle as they move towards independent adulthood, too often missing out on opportunities to pursue healthy development and the education and skills training that would support their movement out of poverty, forever.

Poverty contributes to, and compounds, vulnerability for youth as this report highlights. Findings also emphasize the importance of social supports and inclusive services for youth to realize successful transitions. Most importantly, vulnerable youth truly want better lives. They want to be in school, to find meaningful employment and to have a safe place to live. They want to support their own families and be active members of their community. Like all youth, they have huge potential and important aspirations waiting to be realized.

It is not acceptable for a city like Calgary, with one of the youngest, wealthiest, and most educated populations of Canada, to be failing so many of our youth, especially when the solutions are available and within our reach. United Way is committed to supporting vulnerable youth to realize their full potential. We will exercise leadership, make sound investments and work with strong partners to accomplish the work.

It is our hope that by heightening awareness within our community, this report will serve to deepen our understanding and engagement on the issues raised so that we can all better support the many systems, agencies, communities and individuals who are already doing so much to make Calgary great for all youth.