The Last Meal Before Isolation

In winter of 2020 the Never Too Late team began to plan an event to mark Youth In Care Day in Ontario, a day set to celebrate, advocate and connect young people in and from the child welfare system which falls on May 14th—5/14 it is often called.  Calls for a coffee house/art exhibit event led us to checking out venues and beginning to think about hosts and acts.  At the same time, we had begun to explore the medium of podcasting as a way to make “educational” clips for the very select group of people who were attending our training series “Training for Humans, thinking of becoming permanency for a young person who had aged out of care. These 2 worlds collided in March and April of 2020, when we had to end our in person podcasting sessions for our trainings and our dreams of an event space were quashed.  But riding on the high of how much we had enjoyed our first taste of podcasting, and wanting to not let go of having some kind of way to acknowledge 5/14 we decided that this was our chance—to explore using podcasting in a different way—to focus on giving people the chance to talk about how this life changing event, the pandemic, was impacting on them, the good, the bad and the ugly, all first voice experts of the the child welfare system.  We were focused on the telling, on letting people get a chance to talk about what this time was like for them; the triumphs and tribulations, the challenges and celebrations.  In the past, we had engaged outside “help” to record and produce out podcasts but this time we decided to do it all in house to see if we now could do it ourselves. #14 Stories was that podcast, released on May 14, 2020 it has been heard over 1000 times throughout the world and at NTL podcasting became something that we now felt very comfortable engaging in—recording, editing, and producing a number of those educational pieces over  2020. In early 2021, through the generosity of FRAYME and their Great Big Stories Grant we were given an opportunity that doesn’t often happen—to look back at the making of #14 Stories, to reflect on how participating in that podcast felt, the impacts on participants even today, and what they have learned or lessons they have for others doing this work. And then we got to do more.  We got to ask people, youth with lived experience of child welfare who had NOT participated in the original podcast how it felt the first time they heard these stories, what resonated for them and why and why they decided to be part of this new 14 Stories production.  7 new participants, 7 past participants—14 (more) stories.

Thank you to everyone involved for the creation of #14Stories. This podcast aims to create awareness about young people in and from care not only on May 14th but everyday.  You're about to hear what different individuals in and from care face during Covid 19.  This production is brought to you by the Never Too Late team.  Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl

Food is a way into the hearts of many. You'll hear about a meal that might get your stomach rumbling. Share your last meal with us via Instagram DM @nevertoolate.on.  We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode release on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

M shares how life has amplified emotions during Covid19. How have you been during this time?  Share what your thoughts are with us via Instagram DM @nevertoolate.on. We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode release on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

Clothing is a statement from what you feel to what you think. V. takes us through her go to outfit during isolation.  What's your outfit of choice? Let us know via D.M on instagram @ DM @nevertoolate.on. We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode  release on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

C.L. Talks about some creative ways she connects with her loved ones. The most creative C.L. says is hand written letters. Have you been writing letters to your loved ones? Is it something you'd try? We'd love to hear from you via Instagram DM @nevertoolate.on.  We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode release on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

Like Many A. has experienced her special day in a unique time. Birthday's are the celebration of life and just like A you can make the most out of your day.  Below is a recipe for for a white birthday cake  Ingredient Checklist  1 cup white sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder ½ cup milk We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode release on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

J shares his worst day since quarantine began. When he goes fishing with friends and ends up being grilled by a conservation officer. It's important to exercise even more so now that we're isolated A great app to use (completely free) is Peloton.  Whatever your fitness need is, this app has. We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode release on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

What are ways to stay connected with friends and family during the pandemic? Vivian has lots of cool online activities that can help you get closer to (pandemic dating anyone?), try new things and just find playfulness. V had some great ways to get close to those you care about WNRS: https://www.werenotreallystrangers.com/products/not-really-strangers-card-deck Games: https://skribblio.online/ We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode is released on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

" I was forced to reckon with and acknowledge my sheer aloneness" Survival skills become instinctual for young people in and from care. This is one of our superpowers.  Resource for those dealing with stressful times: https://kidshelpphone.ca/ We’ll be sharing a story with you every day until our feature length episode release on May 14th. Follow Never Too Late on Instagram at @nevertoolate.on or get more information about this program at www.adoption.on.ca/ntl Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9PkFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower