By Josie Rose MSW., RSW
Mental Health Case Manager at Your Support Services Network
I’ve been working with youth in York Region from different community groups with various intersectionalities (e.g., ethnocultural, 2SLGBTQ+, precariously housed, and young people dealing with poverty, addictions, and the justice system) for the past couple of years to provide them opportunities to voice their concerns, implement ideas, and have a seat at decision-making tables.
When youth members from Our Voices Matters: York Region, a group made up of young people with disabilities (i.e., mental health, physical, and cognitive), and youth from 360kids approached me and asked for help with ahosting a three-part engagement series, my answer was a resounding yes. Since then, we’ve been working together to produce an engagement series in partnership with 360Kids, Christian Horizons, Community Living, Your Support Services Network, Developmental Services Ontario, and York Regional Police to help break the stigma between police and youth, young adults and people with and without disabilities.
Our first event, Operation: Break the Stigma!, will be held virtually on Monday, November 29, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event will be spearheaded by youth who identify as having a disability.
The conference will include topics like: the Canadian history of criminalization and institutionalization of people with disabilities, transitions in life for people with with disabilities, what independence looks like for people with disabilities, and what resources they can go to and what can they access during transitions.
The event is about providing resources for people with disabilities and raising public awareness to help break the stigma.