Transitioning into adulthood can be a challenging part of life for anyone, according to George Sartori, Community Living BC (CLBC) manager for the Powell River area.
Sartori said he recognizes that many youth transitioning into adulthood face similar challenges, such as finding employment, settling into a living situation and finding a community around their interests.
“Someone with a disability can have the added challenge of access to different resources in the community,” said Sartori. “Employment can be a challenge and there are a lot of resources out there to help individuals find work and help them maintain their job,” said Sartori.
Housing presents significant challenges as well, said Sartori.
A number of options are available to youth and their families, including respite, home shares and staffed residential homes, he added.
In his time working with people with disabilities and their families, Sartori said he has seen that different options work best for different situations.
Youth Transition Fair, taking place in Powell River next week, and others like it, can help provide education and resources to the greater community in regard to supporting youth with disabilities.
“We do these fairs in Richmond, Vancouver and North Vancouver,” said Sartori. “There are always new families, so we try to host them quite regularly.”
Fairs have been well received in surrounding communities and can help increase equitable access to community resources, said Sartori.
The local fair is being organized jointly by CLBC, BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Inclusion Powell River.
Inclusion’s family support program, funded by MCFD, supports families who have children with intellectual disabilities, autism and other special needs.
According to Inclusion’s coordinator of family support services Lisa Beaulieu, the fair is a great fit with the organization’s mission to foster a safe, inclusive community where everyone belongs and lives a good life.
“By connecting youth and their families to community partners, agencies and services, we can facilitate access and help attendees prepare and learn about future options,” said Beaulieu. “This fair will provide that environment.”
MCFD coordinator for the event Jackie Milsom said the ministry works closely with Inclusion and CLBC to prepare youth and their families for adulthood, and has partnered with the two organizations in order to make the fair possible.
“It will be an opportunity for them to see what supports, programs and groups are available in our community to help build a successful and fulfilling life,” said Milsom.
The fair is meant for youth and young adults, age 14 to 24, with developmental disabilities who are approaching and planning for adulthood, she added.
According to Sartori, the transition of youth with disabilities into adulthood can be an anxious time for families.
“If families can take the time to come out to this event, learn about the resources and network with other families, it’s really going to make the transition more positive,” he said.
Sartori said he encourages youth and families to be proactive preparing for adulthood.
“The earlier you can start planning for the transition, the better the outcome,” he said.
Visitors to the fair can expect to see a number of different booths, from City of Powell River, employment programs and the fair’s community partners. Although similar fairs have been held in surrounding communities, it will be the first one for Powell River.
“We’re going to try this out,” said Milsom. “If it’s successful, we’ll do it every year.”
Youth Transition Fair takes place from 3:30-5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 25, in the ARC Community Theatre at Jean Pike Centre, 7055 Alberni Street.
For more information, email CLBC facilitator Meghan McAllister at [email protected].
