Ontario youth aging out of foster care say they need more support. These groups are stepping in

Aging out of child welfare can be a lonely and isolating experience, which is why these Ontario organizations are offering mentorship to help the young adults transition into adulthood.

Losing access to children's aid services, including foster homes and social workers, can leave them on their own to figure out basic life skills such as paying bills or renting an apartment, according to youth formerly in care.

"Often people say, 'I moved out when I was 18, so what's the problem?' but the biggest difference for young people from foster care is that they don't have anyone in their corner," said Heather O'Keefe, the founder and chief executive officer of StepStones, a not-for-profit that connects youth in care with mentors.

"When I moved out to university and I was going to make my first chicken meal, I could call my mom and say, 'Hey mom, how do I make this?,'" O'Keefe said. "I still had people to rely on, but people from foster care don't have people to help them navigate."

There are close to 8,200 children and youth in care per month, according to the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies. About 1,000 youth age out of the system a year, said StepStones.

Children can stay in the child welfare system until they are 18 years old, with additional services they can access from age 18 to 22. In 2023, the the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services released a guide that Children's Aid Societies are required to use to develop programming that teaches young adults about housing, employment and finances.

On a youth's 23rd birthday, that all disappears.

"Most of these young people have only had paid professionals in their life to care for them and support them," O'Keefe said. "When those individuals are no longer there, who is left? In most cases, no one is left."

Toronto-based StepStones primarily connects former youth in care with significant people from their past, O'Keefe said, such as former foster siblings, neighbours or cousins. If that's not possible, they look for relevant community mentors, such as a sports coach or person at the youth's place of worship.

"A lot of youth have been moved multiple times in different communities, and it's very hard and destabilizing for them," said StepStones chief operating officer, Liora Sobel, who lived in a group home until she was 18. "For us to help them build some connections in the community not only helps them stay connected, but with things like going to school and employment."

Registered charity Never Too Late also works to connect former youth in care with a parent-like figure, which they call Humans.

"One young person was in the room with us and they said, 'I just want a human being who's there for me," explained Never Too Late communications coordinator Wendy Hayes, who started living in foster care when she was 13.

WATCH: Aging out of child welfare is lonely and isolating

Children who are moving out of the child welfare system and their advocates say the experience is intensely lonely and the young adults don't always have the skills they need to succeed on their own.

"Some young people have been let down by the adults, caregivers and parents in their life, and that sets up a certain expectation," she said. "We just use the word 'humans' to bring that comfort in."

The organization offers training sessions for people interested in volunteering, which is an eight-week series that outlines the importance of the relationship and strategies to be successful.

Before starting her current role at Never Too Late, Hayes was connected with a mentor through the organization, who she still has a connection with today.

Now in her 30s, Hayes said the relationship centres on emotional support and advice, but younger people may also rely on their Human for help filing taxes or a ride to a medical appointment.

"When our first and early caregivers can't provide for us, we learn to be very mistrusting of the world and for very good reason," she said. "Sometimes, I just need someone to check in with to talk about those feelings."

Never Too Late works with youth in care ages 16 and older, while StepStones primarily supports those aged 10 to 25. Both organizations said they want to connect with young adults before they age out of the system to ensure they have adequate support during the transition into adulthood, but will not cut ties with youth who require continued help.

"Everyone deserves to have that unconditional person in their life who's there to support them, no matter what and with no time limit," Hayes said.