This webinar was hosted by YouthREX.

HERE’S HOW THE HOSTS DESCRIBE THIS WEBINAR:

How can youth workers best support youth with incarcerated family? What do youth workers need to understand about the unique experiences of these youth? How can youth workers intentionally build healing relationships from a place of empathy and non-judgement?

Young people with incarcerated family are often invisible or ignored, but the very real impacts of the criminal justice system on their lives – and the stigma they experience – affect their wellbeing, their sense of self and belonging, and their future aspirations.

We learned from our guests’ professional and lived experience, exploring the realities for youth with incarcerated family, including issues such as:

• stigma, mental health, and identity
• maintaining relationships and accessing supports
• shifts in family and community dynamics
• intersecting experiences of racism, sexism, ableism, and heteronormativity

Our guests included:

• Zya Brown, Founder, Think 2wice
• Brianna Garneau, Project Ricochet
• Alicia Gordon, Systems Navigator, Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario
• Lindsay Martin, Current President, Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario
• Melissa McLetchie, Collaborative for Racial Justice
• Nancy Russell, Criminal Justice Program Coordinator, Canadian Friends Service Committee, and Coordinator, Canadian Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents