Youth would then The purpose of this report is to improve the experiences and lives of There are approximately 8,300 children and youth in care in organize and hold public hearings at Queen’s Park to speak di- youth in and leaving care. [...] For the first time in Canada, experiences, and using quotes taken from the Hearings and then hired four youth in and from care to be youth leads young people in and from care held their own public hear- Who noticed the submissions, their insights offer the reader more personal on the project. [...] Change is scary to present and publicly share their stories and recommenda- The speakers spoke from their hearts and shared sometimes and what is worse, is having tions to a panel of youth at the Hearings. [...] You can be isolated at any point survival, 8 hugs a day for maintenance, and 12 hugs a and spirit, to be safe, to be able to learn and develop to your living our own lives, we’ll be able to shake free from the label in time and outside factors can have little to no effect on day for growth. [...] The sand running It’s tough growing up in a system where every day is person to reach out and help us, listen to us, actually hear to the bottom of the hourglass only wraps the Isolation unfamiliar and every day you are not sure what is go- what we have to say and then guide us in the right direction.