Community Development & Outreach

Community development and outreach at CCWS is how we stay connected, responsive, and rooted in the needs of child welfare survivors. This work spans peer-led programs, public education, mutual aid, digital outreach, and community partnerships, all grounded in care and collective responsibility. Whether we’re hosting a support group, co-creating a workshop, showing up with resources, or sharing stories online, our goal is to build networks that sustain survivors and grow community power.

Upcoming events

  • Programming

    Our programs are survivor-led and designed to build connection, community, and care. This includes peer support groups like CWS Connects, ongoing resource sharing, and consistent spaces for survivors to show up as they are. Programs are designed with flexibility and sustainability in mind, centering Black and racialized child welfare survivors.

    Explore Our Programs

  • Events

    Our events are opportunities to gather, learn, and build community. Some are open exclusively to child welfare survivors, while others welcome broader community members who align with our values. Events range from community care gatherings to educational and movement-building spaces, all rooted in connection and accessibility.

    See What’s Coming Up

  • Workshops & Trainings

    Our workshops and trainings focus on trauma-informed care, systems navigation, survivor-led education, and community-based approaches to justice. We offer sessions for youth, families, and service providers available online or in person by request.

    What We Offer

Mutual Aid

At CCWS, mutual aid is one of the ways we practice care. It’s how we show up for each other in material ways—sharing resources, redistributing funds, and responding to urgent needs without red tape or judgment.

We offer mutual aid to child welfare survivors and families when we have the capacity, including things like:

  • Transit fare to get to court or appointments

  • Grocery support and meal drop-offs

  • Cell phone minutes or tech-related needs

  • Emergency funds for urgent situations

  • Practical help during transitions or crises

This work is made possible through community contributions and grassroots fundraising. We are not a registered charity and cannot issue tax receipts, but we receive donations via e-transfer to directly support survivors. All donations are tracked internally and redistributed as needed.

Currently requesting

Social Media & Digital Outreach

Our digital platforms are a space to connect, share, and organize. We post educational content, survivor stories, and resources.

We also host a private Facebook group for child welfare survivors—open to anyone with lived experience

Check out our instagram!

Upcoming Events & Programs

Stay connected with what’s happening at CCWS. Our calendar includes upcoming groups, workshops, drop-ins, and community events—both in-person and online. Whether you're a youth, caregiver, service provider, or community member, there’s always something going on.

Click on an event to see the full details, including how to join or register. We update this calendar regularly, so check back often!

Stay Connected & Support Our Work

Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on new programs, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.

If you believe in the work we’re doing, consider making a donation. Every contribution helps us run programming, provide mutual aid, and support child welfare survivors and their families without red tape or judgment.

We’re not a registered charity, but all donations go directly to sustaining grassroots efforts. Thank you for helping us keep this work going.