Caption:
Our office continues to hear from families, front-line workers and young people who are being impacted by the toxic drug crisis. We need to keep young people alive so they can heal. Addressing the toxic drug supply is a critical step. #ToxicDrugCrisis #YouthDeaths #DontLookAway
As the toxic drug crisis continues, fear, stigma, and public pressure are narrowing the space for balanced, evidence-informed, and child-centred policy and practice. We can and must do so much better
#PoisonedSupply #YouthWellBeing #ToxicDrugCrisis #BCYouth #PublicHealth
Our office continues to hear from families, front-line workers and young people who are being impacted by the toxic drug crisis. We need to keep young people alive to help them heal. Addressing the toxic drug supply is a critical step. #ToxicDrugCrisis #YouthDeaths #PoisonedSupply #BC #DontLookAway
Making this happen, is a responsibility we all share. Read more about this important day here: www.dayofpink.org/en/home#:~:t....
#InternationalDayofPink
A bright pink graphic with a dotted pattern background displaying the words “International Day of Pink” in large white letters, with “RCY” logo in smaller white text at the bottom right.
On this International Day of Pink, we continue to stand up against bullying, discrimination, & transphobia in all their forms. Every young person deserves to feel safe and supported at school, at home, & in their community no matter who they are.
On International Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate transgender and gender-diverse people and recognize the discrimination and barriers many still face.
RCY supports safe, respectful and affirming spaces where all young people are free to be themselves.
White text on a black background that reads "No single system can solve this alone" with large yellow quotes above the text. The RCY logo is in white in the bottom right corner.
Supporting families and stepping in early when they need help is a shared responsibility across sectors, systems, communities, organizations, and Nations.
RCY has been working closely with partners to highlight the common challenges that families experience to ensure no young person is forgotten.
A social media graphic with a black background featuring large, bold white text that reads, "Sexual exploitation can happen to anyone." In the top left corner, there are large, bright pink quotation marks, and in the bottom right corner, the pink logo "RCY" is visible.
As we mark Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week in BC, we reiterate the importance of shared accountability and coordinated action to prevent and address the deep harms that the sexual exploitation of young people causes.
Graphic for BC Social Work Week with the headline “BC Social Work Week” and the text “Celebrating the social workers who support children, youth & families across BC.” Below the text is a photo of two people reaching their hands toward each other in a supportive gesture, with the RCY logo in the bottom corner.
Celebrating all the incredibly dedicated, hard-working and resilient social workers in our province who are so deeply committed to doing all they can to help young people thrive. Thank you for all you do. #bcsocialworkweek
Creating safe spaces for children and youth is a responsibility we all share.
Today, RCY staff are wearing pink to stand up for kids - and to remind ourselves and others to lean in, speak up, and act.
#PinkShirtDay
A pink T-shirt hangs from a wooden hanger on a moss-covered tree branch in a sunlit forest. Large white text at the top reads “Speaking up for kids.” The logo for Representative for Children and Youth appears in the bottom right corner. Soft pink circular overlays are scattered across the image.
Pink Shirt Day is more than a reminder to be kind.
In the wake of recent events in British Columbia, it is an urgent time to ensure young people feel safe, that they belong, and that bullying - both in person and online - is not tolerated.
#pinkshirtday
A woman in a dark sweater stands beside a young girl sitting on a kitchen counter. The girl, wearing a grey shirt with a cat face design, looks up at the woman as they talk. Soft green graphic circles overlay the image, with the RCY logo in the top right corner. Bold yellow text at the bottom reads, “Talking to kids about tragedy”
Talking to young people when tragedy strikes can be very challenging. This is a helpful resource from Learning Through Loss: 65f21ffe-17a9-4fde-8d92-0e0f2663c54a.usrfiles.com/ugd/65f21f_7...
Graphic with a black background featuring large teal quotation marks at the top. Bold white text reads, “We are holding the community of Tumbler Ridge close to our hearts.” The RCY logo appears in white in the bottom right corner.
Wrapping the people of Tumbler Ridge with love and support. When young people are harmed, experience trauma and profound loss, we can never look away.
If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact @kidshelpphone.bsky.social at 1-800-668-6868 or BC Crisis Line at 310-6789.
A smiling young person sits at a table and claps their hands, with an open notebook in front of them. Other young people are softly blurred in the background, suggesting a classroom or group learning space. Large white text reads, “One step closer to ensuring all young people in BC thrive.” The RCY logo appears in the bottom corner.
In response to the MCFD’s announcement of an investment of $475 million to support young people with disabilities and their families, the Representative for Children and Youth says she is looking forward to seeing tangible, on the ground improvements for young people and their families.
Black-and-white photo of a young person sitting on the ground with their knees bent and arms resting casually across them, leaning against a wall covered in layered graffiti and street art. They wear a baseball cap, a jacket with light-coloured sleeves, dark pants, and sneakers, and look directly toward the camera with a calm, confident expression. Overlaid text in large pink and white lettering reads: “Almost 100,000 children and youth in BC experience a mental disorder at any given time.” Smaller text below cites “Children’s Health Policy Centre, Simon Fraser University.” A pink RCY logo appears in the top right corner. Semi-transparent green dots overlay parts of the image as a graphic design element.
Young people in BC urgently need more mental health services & supports. Wait times are too long, community supports need to be expanded in all parts of the province and legal safeguards for young people need to be strengthened. Read our latest report: rcybc.ca/reports-and-...
Two young women sit close together, smiling and laughing with their heads leaning toward each other, conveying warmth, support, and connection. One wears a light denim shirt over a white top; the other wears a dark top. The background fades from black to grey with a pink dotted gradient pattern in the upper right. Large text reads: “A New Year means new chances to get the support you need.” The RCY logo appears in the bottom right corner with the text “Representative for Children & Youth.”
If something’s not right and you need help, you don’t have to deal with it alone. The Representative for Children and Youth and our advocates are here to listen and provide support.
Call us at 1 800 476 3933 or email us at rcy@rcybc.ca.
Text over a black background reads "We need to do all we can to ensure young people are well set up to manage mental health challenges and we are failing significantly at doing so. - Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, the Representative for children and Youth"
A new report by the Representative for Children and Youth calls for stronger legislation and community supports to meet the needs of 100,000 young people in BC living with mental health disorders. Read our report "Putting Children at the Centre": rcybc.ca/reports-and-...
Graphic for World Human Rights Day with the date December 10th. The background shows a young person wearing a face mask at a demonstration, with their fist raised. Green dotted overlay and the RCY logo appear on the design.
Honouring the rights that we all have as human beings and specifically the rights of young people. We encourage everyone to learn more about these rights and how we can all uphold them always.
Learn more about child, youth, and young adult rights on our website: rcybc.ca/get-help-now...
A young person with short curly hair sits indoors, looking down at their phone. Text at the top reads “NOT FEELING HEARD? we can help.” Along the bottom, the RCY logo appears with the following text: “The Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) is independent of government & helps young people in B.C. who are receiving government services. We listen, support, and help you speak up for your rights.”
Are you a young person trying to get services from the government?
Our Advocates might be able to help you. The information you share is confidential and our help is free. Check out our website or give us a call to find out more.
Text on a black background says 'Up to 83,000 young people with disabilities in BC are not receiving adequate services and supports."
The RCY has issued several reports highlighting the acute unmet needs of young people with disabilities & their families in BC. Please take a moment to read our report 'Too Many Left Behind' to learn about these important issues & join us in pushing for change.
Read it here: rcybc.ca/wp-content/u...
Young people and their families are still waiting for action. They deserve so much more. Read more about our recs in our report 'Too Many Left Behind' here: rcybc.ca/wp-content/u...
On this #InternationalDayOfPersonswithDisabilities the Representative for Children and youth renews her calls to the BC government to address the urgent needs of up to 83,000 young people with disabilities not receiving adequate services.
Today we deeply feel the loss of too many women due to violence. We stand too with current survivors and the many young people who are being profoundly impacted by violence and those who have lost their lives. Read more in Don’t Look Away: rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...
#16daysofactivism
Transgender Day of Remembrance is a reminder that safety and dignity are non-negotiable.
Trans people, including young people, continue to face higher rates of violence, exclusion, and systemic barriers. Remembering those who have been lost to transphobia must push all of us.
We commit to change.
November 20th is National Child Day. Join us in moving toward a new ‘North Star’ of child well-being where young people feel safe, supported, connected and confident that their fundamental rights will be recognized and upheld.
How do you support young people to thrive?
When Haruto, a boy living with Autism was facing challenges getting support, his family reached out to us. Our Advocates were able to amplify their calls for services and facilitate access to customized therapy. Read more about how our Advocacy makes a difference in our latest Annual Report.
RCY is incredibly grateful to have participated in Our Children Our Way’s National Forum for Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being.
We learned so much through the inspiring approaches and practices to strengthening the lives of young people and their families.
#OurChildrenOurWay #OCOW #RCYBC
Want to know more about the difference our advocacy makes? Read our latest Annual Report here: rcybc.ca/.../2025/10/...
