I have a testimonial from a young person in Vancouver who delineates the experience. I think one of the key points about this is that the school board is actually the first and most frequent point of contact for the students. Through the students we meet the parents and other siblings, so that kids can focus on learning and the parents can focus on their settlement and learning through LINC. In that time frame, it's also very limited until they turn 19 and age out of the system, so we have a small window in which we can provide the support they need.
This is from Myriam, and this is her story:
Today I am an honors political science student at McGill University and now the recipient of two major scholarships that allows me to study in France for one year to learn about European politics and excel my French. If VSB staff followed the discriminatory protocol and deprived me of the crucial services I received, I do not know where I would be today. When I came to Canada I did not speak English, lacked prior formal education, and my family and I suffered from the trauma of migration and family separation. These were some of the issues amongst many others that we were facing in our new country. However, at VSB with the supports I received from EIYP (Engaged Immigrant Youth Program/SWIS) with my day to day needs such as understanding school system—