Twinkling Stars: Adult Ally Award
Lisa Doran
Family and Children’s Services
There’s an old adage that one person can make a difference, but a group of people can change history. It’s something that Lisa Doran, manager of children & youth services at Family and Children’s Services (FACS) at Waterloo Region, has been able to experience first-hand.
In November 2011, she and a group of young people transitioning from protective care went to Queen’s Park to tell the provincial legislature what it means for kids to lose support once they turn 22, which is when the system releases children from provincially funded care. “Everyone should have a caring adult in their life,” said Doran. “There should be a sense of belonging and permanency.”
Their presentation pushed the government to establish a youth leaving care working group and to allow some financial support for youth past the age of 21 who are in post-secondary education and training.
Doran’s support of the youth goes well beyond advocating for them before politicians. She was nominated for the Adult Ally award because she tirelessly works to ensure children and youth have the tools to transition out of care.
“My passion is to raise the voices for kids in care and make things better for them,” said Doran. She also implemented changes at FACS to ensure that her team is actually working with kids one-on-one. Part of what she advocates is ensuring that people really listen to youth: “Listen to understand.”
One of her favourite parts of her work is the youth advisory board at FACS, which provides feedback for the agency about what they are doing right and wrong, from the perspective of the kids in care. They’re a dynamic group that motivates Doran. “Every time I meet with them I get so inspired personally and professionally from what they’re saying and how they are talking. They’re just so resilient.”
For more than 20 years this has been Doran’s work. For her, the satisfaction comes from empowering teens. “You make a difference,” she noted, adding that it’s satisfying to help people share their own story and develop their own path.
