Graduating to a successful future
Seventy-one percent of former youth in care pursuing post-secondary education and supported by United Way BC Youth Futures Education Fund graduate.
In May and June on college and university campuses across British Columbia thousands of people like Amanda are graduating. A post-secondary degree is a milestone offering confidence, broader social networks, and better career prospects for those who have completed post-secondary education.
“It opened opportunities for me for career choices and eligible job options. It prepared me with valuable knowledge and skills and will allow me to practice social work and eventually go into private practice,” says Amanda, who is in her late 20s and attended the University of British Columbia.
“I feel relieved and proud of myself. I feel grateful to have been able to go to school and I feel excited to begin my career.”
What makes Amanda’s experience unique from others she will graduate with is that she received support from the United Way BC Youth Futures Education Fund during her post-secondary journey. The fund helps create equal educational opportunities for adults who have formerly been in government care by providing low-barrier access to funds for basic living expenses like food, rent, technology, childcare, and more while they are attending post-secondary institutions on a tuition waiver. As part of BC Child and Youth in Care Week June 2-8, Amanda is sharing her story to raise awareness about the barriers youth face and to celebrate the incredible, diverse children and youth in care and their successes.
“Since 2015, the Youth Futures Education Fund has provided essential, stable support to 4,288 young people from government care as they pursue post-secondary education. With 71% of recipients proudly graduating and earning a credential, this fund’s consistency matters — because when students don’t have to worry about basics like food, housing, or transportation, they can focus on their studies, their growth, and their dreams. Stability isn’t just financial; it’s the foundation that allows these resilient young people to reach the finish line and build a future beyond graduation,” says Trisha Dulku, Strategic Initiatives Manager at United Way BC.
Critical financial support
“Going to university there are financial pressures and that causes high stress making it hard to concentrate on studying. I requested funds to make ends meet when financial barriers were present,” Amanda says.
Education is expensive. Basic living costs for post-secondary students are around $26,400 a year for things like rent, phone, internet, transit and food. At 19, youth in care ‘age out’ of the system losing all support from their foster parents, social workers, government programs, along with any financial assistance. Other young people may have a family to fall back on, but former youth in care often have no one, making pursuing post-secondary education and future careers challenging. With support from United Way BC Youth Futures Education Fund students have an equal opportunity.
“It relieved pressure financially, allowing me to focus on my studies and be successful,” Amanda says.
“I chose social work based on lived experience as a former youth in care and an individual who has overcome homelessness, mental health barriers, and addictions,” Amanda says. “I want to give back to people who are dealing with these struggles.
“My life is great because I am finding balance between work, self-care, hobbies, and rest,” Amanda says. “I loved meeting and working with like-minded individuals and feeling accomplished when completing assignments and my degree.”
Amanda’s advice
Amanda is well on her way to a successful career and shares the following advice to former youth in care pursuing post-secondary education:
“It may seem long or impossible, but tuition waiver and the Youth Futures Education Fund provides an opportunity that allows space to become stable through obtaining education and it is worth it. You can achieve a degree or diploma. You have got to believe in yourself.”
United Way BC donors change lives
Thanks to United Way BC donors, students attending college or university on a tuition waiver have received over $4.4 million in Youth Futures support since 2015.
“The fund helped me feel less stress and more reassured that I am going to be okay,” Amanda says. “It is an incredible feeling to know what support exists and to feel seen and valuable enough to receive this support.”
All donations to the fund are directly invested in supporting students’ success, but the need is still great. Thank you for helping to create a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to make a difference in the world through higher education, and for considering a future gift that will change lives.