Tag: OACAS

Clark Bursary Award Program

OACAS is pleased to announce the reopening of the Clark Bursary Award and new eligibility criteria for 2024 applications. OACAS administers the Clark Bursary Award Program on behalf of the Ron and Nancy Clark Foundation.

Award applications will be accepted from July 15 until August 31. Applicants may be eligible to receive a $2,000 Clark Bursary Award, paid in one lump sum. 

All award decisions will be made on a first come first served basis for those youth who meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be 30 years of age or under at the time of application.
  • Be/have been in the care of an Ontario children’s aid society or an Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agency.
  • Be in, entering, or graduating from a post-secondary educational activity (trade, apprenticeship, or university or college program) OR
  • Be 18+ and completing secondary school credits through an adult learning centre or credit completion program.
  • Provide proof of educational activity (class schedule, transcript, graduation diploma, certificate, invoice, or other proof of an expense related to education, training, or certification). The activity must be current, planned for the next semester, or within the 12 months before submission.

Click here to register and apply. See here for more details.

If you have any question regarding the Clark Bursary Awards program, contact awards@oacas.org.

Please know that your information is collected and used for the sole purpose of administering the Clark Bursary program. If you’d like to withdraw your consent at any time or discuss how it is being used, contact awards@oacas.org.

Additional Financial Support

Get involved with OACAS: Opportunities for youth from and in care.

  1. The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is recruiting for youth 13 – 18 years of age (and up to 21 years) for the YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC). The application link is enclosed & can also be found here.
  2. YouthCAN is also in need of some folks who would like to be a part of a small committee (made up of former YAC youth, YouthCAN Champions and other child welfare and OACAS staff) to review their YPYAC applications. If this is you, please email David Lewis-Peart directly at dlewispeart@oacas.org to confirm your interest. Reviews will take place between March 15th – 31st.
  3. OACAS and Project Outsiders are set to co-host a FREE, online workshop with guest presenter Jama Maxie on Saturday March 23, 1-4PM. The workshop is entitled, InspHire Virtual Learning Session: Public Speaking Skills for Youth from Care and is open for registration for up to 30 youth between the ages of 16 and 23 years of age with lived experience in the child welfare system in Ontario. Please RSVP through the flyer above. This is filling up fast!

Recruitment open for YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC) at OACAS

The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is recruiting youth 13-18 years of age for their YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC). The recruitment launched at their February 15th YouthCAN Town Hall and will remain open until March 15th. The application link is enclosed & can also be found here.

The YPYAC is a voluntary committee made up of 12 youth from across Ontario, with 2 youth representing each of the 6 zones (Central, Eastern, Southwest, Grand River, Northern, and Northeast).  

The purpose of the YPYAC is to use their youth voices to make recommendations to the Ontario child welfare sector about:  

  • The development and delivery of provincial programs for youth in and transitioning from the Ontario child welfare system.  
  • Advocacy to improve the experiences of children and youth in and from care.  

The YPYAC will be supported by the Youth Services Analyst and the work of the YouthCAN Champion Network Group and Executive.  

Eligible youth should:  

  • Be primarily between 13-18 years old (with allowance for up to 21 years of age)  
  • Have lived experience in the Ontario child welfare system.  
  • Be interested in volunteering to use their voice to make a difference.  
  • Have good communication skills or are interested in building those skills.  
  • Be able to commit to the time required for the YPYAC.  
  • Be willing to complete the necessary training (i.e. 3-day, virtual Youth4Change Orientation)  
  • Be able to work respectfully with other youth and adults in a group setting.  

All submissions will be reviewed by a committee including OACAS and member agency staff and former YPYAC members.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered based on the strength of their responses and their ability to commit to the expectations of the role. OACAS seeks members who represent the wide diversity of youth in care and across the zones.  

Important YPYAC Dates 

February 15th    YPYAC recruitment launched, and online submissions opened for youth to apply.    
February 15th – March 15th   Online submissions remain open for youth applications.   
March 15th   Online submissions close.   
March 15th – 31st Applications are reviewed and final decisions made about selections.   
March 31st   All selected youth to be notified by email and/or phone and information package sent.   
April 6th, 13th, 20th   Youth4Change Orientation Days 1-3 will be held with onboarded youth virtually.    
May 9th*   In-person team building day in advance of Child and Youth In Care Day (CYICD)   

Honorariums are provided for those selected as YPYAC members and who regularly attend and engage in scheduled meetings.  

Questions related to the application can be directed to, David Lewis-Peart, Youth Services Analyst, at dlewispeart@oacas.org or by phone 437-230-2051.