Rising Voices: A Youth Advocacy Program for Young People Impacted by Parental Substance Use

Starlings Community empowers the 1 in 4 youth growing up with the stress and stigma of a parent’s substance use to become advocates for themselves and their peers, which contributes to their healing and the reduction of systemic stigma. Through our Youth Advocacy Council Program, led by our youth lead who has lived experience with the loss of a parent to substance use , young people with lived experience learn about their rights, practice leadership skills, and discover that their voices and stories matter. Many of these youth have been silenced by shame and stigma, told directly or indirectly that their experiences don’t count, and have lacked access to resources, supports, and community to allow them to feel seen, supported, and less shame. Our program shifts this narrative by building knowledge, confidence, and opportunities for collective action and healing.

This is a critical initiative as their are 1 in 4 young people groing up with the stress and stigma of a parent's substance use placing them at double to triple the risk for mental health and addiction challenges , and suicide. Despite this prevalence and risk, minimal resources and supports exist for youth and stigma, fear, and shame are a barrier to youth accessing support. 

IN this program, youth meet bi-weekly in safe, peer-led spaces where they learn about Children's Rights made relevant to their experiences with the stress and stigma of a parent's substance use, how policies and systems affect them through a peer community, gain tools to share their stories, and connect with supportive mentors and leaders in the community. The program culminates in advocacy initiatives chosen by the youth themselves, such as awareness campaigns, presentations to decision-makers, or creating youth-friendly resources. In doing so, they not only heal from stigma but also change the community around them.

This program is rooted in our belief that young people are not “at risk”, they are at risk of being unheard and unsupported. By investing in their voices, we build a healthier community that values youth wisdom and creates conditions where families can thrive.

This program will directly benefit youth ages 13–24 in Alberta who have grown up with the stress and stigma of a parent’s substance use, youth who are typically not represented in, or do not feel safe to participate in, other youth advocacy programs (as indicated by youth themselves). These young people often face isolation, shame, and heightened risk of mental health challenges. Many feel invisible in systems not designed to recognize or respond to their realities.

The Youth Advocacy Council offers them a supportive peer community and a pathway to leadership. Participants will:

• Gain knowledge of their rights.

• Build confidence in sharing their perspectives.

• Develop leadership, communication, and advocacy skills.

• Experience belonging, validation, and hope.

It also benefits youth and young adults with similiar experiences who are not apart of the program, by being able to access the resources and tols the Advocacy program develops and distributes for free on our website. Indirectly, the program benefits families, schools, and service providers by amplifying youth voices and shaping more responsive supports. When youth feel heard, they are more likely to engage in school, pursue opportunities, and contribute to healthier family and community relationships. Professionals and decision-makers benefit by receiving authentic youth-driven insights to guide policies and practices.

Ultimately, the entire community benefits when stigma is reduced, systems are more equitable, and young people see themselves as agents of change rather than statistics.