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On June 2, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada brought together leaders from Toronto’s technology and business communities at Deloitte around a shared question:
What becomes possible when we intentionally create pathways to education, careers, and long-term opportunities for young people in and from care?
The answer was clear: talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.
Too many young people connected to the child welfare system enter adulthood without access to the networks, mentorship, work experience, and professional relationships that many of us rely on to navigate education and employment.
Closing that gap requires more than good intentions. It requires coordinated action.
Opportunity changes outcomes
At Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, we know that supporting young people requires more than financial assistance alone. Success is built through relationships, connections, practical experience, and sustained access to opportunity.
Throughout the evening, the discussion focused on practical ways the business community can help create those opportunities: through mentorship, early work experience, industry insight, and stronger connections between education and employment.
What stood out most was the shift from conversation to commitment. Leaders in the room were clear that this challenge is not theoretical. It is solvable, and business has an important role to play.
A coordinated effort to scale impact
This initiative is anchored by a collective goal to raise $1 million to expand pathways into education and employment for young people in and from care.
Those investments will help:
- Connect more young people to mentors and professional networks
- Expand access to meaningful work experiences and career exploration
- Strengthen bridges between community, education, and employers
- Support skill development and long-term career readiness
- Identify and scale approaches that improve education and employment outcomes
The goal is not simply to create more opportunities; it is to create more coordinated pathways that support young people in building fulfilling and sustainable futures.
Leaders helping move this work forward
This initiative is being guided by a committee of leaders helping turn shared ambition into action: Jeff Bowman, Vineet Malhotra, Mat Mehrotra, Marjan Anwar Khan, Jitendra Kulkarni, Richard Jardim, and Hanif Joshaghani.
Their leadership reflects a shared belief that expanding access to opportunity strengthens outcomes not only for young people but for communities and Canada’s future workforce.
Youth voices leading the conversation
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came from hearing directly from CAFC Youth Ambassadors.
Through their lived experiences, they spoke candidly about navigating systems, pursuing opportunity, and the type of support that can make a difference along the way.
Their stories reinforced something we know to be true: sometimes one connection, one introduction, or one opportunity can change what a young person believes is possible.
We’re grateful for their leadership and know youth voice is critical to shaping this work.
Looking ahead
This conversation marked the beginning of something bigger.
Now is the time to act: connecting young people to mentors, employers, educational opportunities, and pathways into meaningful careers.
With momentum and a clear opportunity for impact, this initiative invites business leaders to work together to help more young people access the relationships, experiences, and opportunities that support long-term success.
When we invest in young people, especially at a time when many are facing growing economic uncertainty and barriers to opportunity, we create stronger futures, unlock potential, and help build a country where every young person can thrive.
Learn more
To learn more about this initiative or explore opportunities to get involved, please connect with Pam Bastedo at [email protected].
