I want to tell you I’m sorry but I know it’s going to ring hollow after everything you have been through. I know you have had to learn as a child that life is so unfair and when you told your story you lost everything as a result.
I realize that the adults in your life did not keep you safe and you were taken from your home, lost your own bed, your belongings , your pets, your neighbourhood friends.My heart aches because more wasn’t done to help your family and keep you together due to a lack of adequate supports.
I know some of you may have been separated from your siblings and you had to adjust to having strangers look after you.I have been there when you may have had to move many times when your parent was the Child Welfare system while thoughtless adults may have packed your few precious belongings in garbage bags.
I see you being raised by a system that fails to truly understand that you have been traumatized and forever changed.I have witnessed the system seems to put your rights last and does little to acknowledge or make right the suffering and trauma you endure just by being in it.
My heart aches for every time you have been made to feel small, insignificant, unheard or have felt like you are not valued or do not matter.
I recognize you have lost your sense of belonging, who you are and you feel lost and disconnected.
I have been frustrated when I see your needs are not met if and when it is too costly for the system and sometimes terrible things happen to you when you are in this system that is supposed to keep you safe
It makes me sick to think you feel people only care about you because they are paid to do so and you don’t always have someone to look out for you and fight for you in the way you deserve.
Please know we are here by your side because we want to be here with you and don’t want you to ever feel alone.
Everyday you need to know you deserve so much better. You have value and worth. You are cherished.
We are trying, fighting everyday, alongside you to make sure you get what you need . We are struggling in this system with you. The system that continues to put barriers in the way of our ability to do what is right, what is best for you. The system that makes our jobs impossible to do, that admonishes us for working overtime when we feel the need to take your call outside of regular working hours. The system that decides whether or not you will get the things you need based on how badly they feel you need it or how much it is going to cost. The system that cares more about checkboxes then ensuring that you truly feel supported and cared for .Many of us work in this system because we have personal experience that leaves us with the desire to do better, to be better and to hope that we can make a difference. If we are feeling hopeless, disheartened and discouraged we can only imagine how this must be magnified for you.
Please know you are not alone, we are here with you on this part of your journey. We are frustrated and angry for you. We feel like we are constantly banging our head against the wall to try and make a difference for you. This system is broken and has been for a very long time. Everyone knows it. Children and youth and their families live it. Despite this and lots of great intentions there has been little significant change. We see this system extinguishes hope , leaves you traumatized and forever changed and as the clock ticks little is done to undo the harm. The same system decides that magically on your 21st birthday you are ready to be launched, on your own with no supports and burdened with the trauma of all that has happened to you.
You need to know everyday that you deserve better. We know you do, everyone knows you do. We are with you. Our hearts ache for you. The system, the government owes you an apology. But we also all know “Sorry” just isn’t good enough and doesn’t bring about the change you so desperately need.
Sincerely A Child Welfare worker