The Young Carers Project was a community collaborative working together with young carers in the the Region of Waterloo to educate the public about the existence and needs of young carers and motivate the community to action. The project began in 2011, to share information and resources with those involved in national and international young carer movements. The Young Carers Project is now complete, but here you will find information and resources created by its project members.

A Young Carer is …

A child, youth, or young adult who is impacted by caring for a person with exceptional need(s). An exceptional need could include: illness, disability, mental health issue, addiction, language or cultural barrier.

The impacts of being a Young Carer can happen in any area of life: individual, social or community. For example: school, identity development and well-being, and relationships with friends and family. The collaborative group explored these impacts and created this resource for young carers and those who support them.

YOU ARE A YOUNG CARER

WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUNG CARERS

RESOURCES

Collaborative group members included:

• Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington
• The City of Kitchener
• Conestoga College
• Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region
• Hope for Families Counselling Centre
• Hospice of Waterloo Region
• Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program
• The Region of Waterloo, Public Health
• Young carers from the community
• Waterloo Region Family Network

For more information please contact info@the-ria.ca