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Meet Youth Forum

Youth Forum is CHEO's youth advisory council. Together they promote a youth-friendly environment all across CHEO.

Meet some of our former members! Find out how Youth Forum has impacted their lives, where they are now and where they plan to go!

Apply to join Youth Forum

Meet some of our former members

Charles Ofori

Charles Ofori-Attah (2007–2008)

My favourite memory was the sense of community and a voice that Youth Forum gave me. For me, Youth Forum was an opportunity to feel like I was in control of my environment at CHEO and allowed me to speak with the leadership of the hospital to voice our concerns. It was also nice to simply be around other kids who "get it" and feel understood.

The biggest impact is the lifelong relationships I have formed and the chance to meet with people who change your life for the better. Youth Forum was my first opportunity to see that strength truly does come from numbers and unity is always better than division. It taught me that if you raise your hand and speak up, you will find others who feel similar to you and are willing to help out.

Right now I live and work in Toronto as a marketing strategist and content writer. I spend my days creating and pitching marketing plans to businesses and writing content for them. Quarantine has definitely given me a lot more time at home which I am using to learn new skills such as audio production, data visualization and jump rope.

Claire Dawe McCord

Claire Dawe McCord (2012-2018)

I don't know if I could pick a favourite, but one of the most memorable things I remember doing was at my first or second meeting when we were deciding what small grant applications to approve. We got an application from one of the units to buy adult-sized toothbrushes and phone chargers in case someone was admitted and didn't have one. I remember being in total awe that this didn't already exist - as a patient this just seemed like a glaringly obvious problem. But that's the beauty of having youth and family partners involved, they know first-hand what fixes need to be made.

CHEO Youth Forum was my first experience as a patient partner and it taught me many of the life skills I still use today - it made me more collaborative, it taught me to be confident while speaking to people of authority, and most of all it taught me how to be a better advocate for myself and others. After I left Youth Forum, I continued my work as a patient partner and joined the Ministry of Health's Patient and Family Advisory Council. Most recently I have "returned to my roots" a little bit and I am currently Co-Chairing the Kids Come First Health Team which is focused on creating an integrative health-care system for children and youth in the Champlain region.

Aside from my continued work as a patient partner, I am finishing up my third year as a Health Sciences student at McMaster University and I am planning on applying to medical school in the fall. When I am not studying, I usually spend my time tending to my ever-expanding plant collection and riding my bike.

Christine Tea

Christine Tea (2001-2004)

Teaming up with a group of youth, who each had different backgrounds and experiences at CHEO, to promote and improve the teen experience at CHEO. Being advocates as inpatients, outpatients, and supportive family members, it felt like decision-makers listened to our collective input and we made a difference on various projects. Special thanks to Michele Taché, Shannon Watson and all other CHEO staff who facilitated our conversations over the years while I was an active member.

Being a member of Youth Forum helped me find my voice. It taught me to be more empathetic and compassionate towards others.

I'm currently working at a restaurant in downtown Ottawa, where I mix, roll, proof and steam Chinese buns. When I'm not working, you can find me at home chatting with family and friends, stress cooking or baking, flipping through social media, napping or playing on my phone.

Lindsey Evans

Lindsey Evans (2000-2004)

This may be one of the simpler Youth Forum initiatives, but my favourite project was advocating for widespread purchasing of youth / adult sized toothbrushes. As a teenager being unexpectedly admitted to the hospital after a clinic visit, or an emergency room admission, we would only be offered an infant size toothbrush covered in Disney babies or similar characters. While this initiative may seem small, it marked the kick-off of Youth Forum, emphasizing the need of a cultural and mindset shift at the hospital that acknowledges the needs of youth as a key patient population and not just young children and infants.

I joined Youth Forum at the age of 15. At that time I was one year into a diagnosis of a serious chronic illness that would affect the rest of my life. Youth Forum reinstated a sense of purpose in my life, showing me the power of voice and empowered me to make positive change at a systemic level. Further to this, it was also an opportunity to spend time with peers experiencing a similar impact to their lives, offering the chance to vent and a sense of belonging with other youth.

I am an Advanced Practice Nurse in Oncology working in a large national private infusion network. Prior to my current role, I worked at CHEO as a Registered Nurse on the hematology oncology unit. As a CHEO employee I continued to be actively engaged, joining several committees and quality improvement initiatives, helping CHEO grow and strive to be the best possible hospital for our community. I am also happily married, and a very proud mom of two boys aged 5 and 2. Both of our boys have had to be seen at CHEO and we'll be forever thankful to CHEO not only for saving my life, but also for helping keep our boys healthy.

Niall Barron

Niall Barron (2007-2012)

I liked Youth Forum because it was a place where I belonged. I grew up in CHEO, surrounded by adults and toddlers. Attending school at CHEO, I taught and mentored kids almost as soon as I started. Youth Forum was one of the only places I was able to meet people like me, who liked similar things and had similar experiences.

Since Youth Forum advises CHEO’s senior staff, I quickly learned how to speak and carry myself in what would normally be intimidating settings. Giving speeches to large audiences and collaborating with groups of very different people becomes a lot easier when you started as a teenager.

It took some time, but my medical history is now just that – history. The time I used to spend getting treated I now spend reading, hiking, and swimming. I’ve since moved to Halifax to work with the federal government, and will start a master’s in health care and environment policy with University College Dublin in September 2021.

Jessica Hay

Jessica Hay (2018 – 2021)

My favourite memory (although hard to choose considering there are so many) would probably be getting to participate as part of the CHEO Board Retreat. It was an amazing experience to be in the same room as CHEO’s VPs, chiefs of departments, the CEO, Alex Munter, and many more “high up people” from within CHEO. Youth Forum members were invited to add a patient/youth point of view into the discussion. I found it amazing how much they valued what we had to say and wanted to hear what we had to say. They valued hearing our experiences and us being there to talk to them. CHEO takes what patients and families say to heart, and always wants to make CHEO a better place.

Through Youth Forum I have been able to meet some wonderful youth, staff and families that have been through so much and continue to be an inspiration. Youth Forum has led me to so many opportunities within the hospital, from being able to be a volunteer on one of the units, to being a part of the screening team at CHEO during the COVID-19 pandemic. I started out participating in Youth Forum as a way to give back to CHEO in some shape or form because CHEO helped take care of me for so many years—little did I know it would open so many doors for me.

This is my last year with Youth Forum as I have aged out of CHEO and I am very sad to close this chapter of my life, but I am excited to start the next one (which I hope will continue to be within CHEO). In 21 years I see myself working as a nurse in CHEO’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (that would be my dream!).

Kate Stevens

Katherine Stevens (2017 – 2022)

I could never choose only one or two, so some of my favourite Youth Forum memories include: the Day-in-the-life speakers; being a co-op student; presenting to med students; creating a new Youth Forum Top 10 video script; collaborating with Family Advisory Council; leading a tour of CHEO for the Children’s Healthcare Canada Conference; and of course all the delicious snacks and food we were served. The most impactful memories have been getting to see the faces of the children visiting CHEO and the patients on Halloween as they take in all the choices, get to see all the costumes and get to participate in the holiday no matter where they are. Another experience that has had an impact on me was giving out the Youth Friendly awards to CHEO staff and seeing how proud and honoured the recipients were to be recognized as a champion for youth. The staff that received these awards are setting a standard for the treatment and interaction with youth in health care.

Being a member of Youth Forum has given me the confidence to advocate for my own health-care needs and to educate other youth and children about how they can advocate for their quality of care and their needs. Since I have become a member of Youth Forum I have also become aware of different jobs that are available to anyone interested in health care and I have learned about all the unique positions that are CHEO-specific. Youth Forum has inspired me to create opportunities to work on projects I am passionate about and has confirmed that health care is the field for me. Since becoming a part of Youth Forum I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone with public speaking, talking to families in the hospital, and speaking up in group settings to have my thoughts heard. Through these experiences, I have built up my communication skills and I am a better student, worker and volunteer because of it. Youth Forum has introduced me to the lovely Youth Forum “moms” who run it, all the kind and super fun members that are a part of it, and many staff that are passionate about involving youth in their projects and inspiring young minds to learn about their field of work.

In 21 years I see myself working as a health-care professional at CHEO, as a nurse, doctor or maybe even a job that I have yet to discover. I hope by that point that I will have a beautiful family with my very handsome husband. I see myself continuing to advocate for the rights and needs of youth and children in health care, and maybe even running a group similar to Youth Forum to keep the youth voice alive and present. I am sure that I will be continuing to support events that fund research and technology to improve the lives of patients. As a birthday party lover, I see myself planning my 40th birthday party with flair and pizzazz, leaving my 20s and 30s in the dust.

Natasha Baechler

Natasha Baechler (2019 – 2021)

My favourite Youth Forum experience has to be participating in the CHEO Halloween celebrations! It was so fun being able to get dressed up and hand out goodies from Youth Forum’s trick-or-treat station to all the kiddos! I also really enjoyed going around the hospital trick-or-treating with some other Youth Forum members, collecting toys and stuffies to deliver to some of the sicker patients who weren’t able to participate.

CHEO’s Youth Forum gives me a sense of purpose. It allows me to share my own struggles and experiences with the health-care system, in order to make a difference in the lives of other kids and youth requiring services from CHEO. Our team values its member’s opinions and thoughts, while giving us the tools and opportunities we need to create positive change. I have also gained a lot of knowledge from the opportunities Youth Forum has given me to learn from and collaborate with CHEO’s exceptional staff and volunteers. It truly has been a wonderful experience and I’m very grateful to be part of such an amazing team!

Definitely working at CHEO! Whether it be as a dietitian, nurse, or child and youth counsellor, it’s my goal to work at the hospital that changed my life. I would be incredibly lucky to be part of such a caring and dedicated team, looking after children and youth while providing a safe and welcoming environment.

Rachel Nicholson

Rachel Nicholson (2021-2022)

I am Youth Forum’s newest member, so I was not part of some of their most significant projects. As well, due to the pandemic, I have yet to even meet the entire Youth Forum group in person. Regardless, since my first Zoom call, Youth Forum has been something I look forward to every month. My favorite experience thus far has been planning the 21st birthday celebration. I am really grateful that I get to be part of celebrating something that has brought so much good to the youth of CHEO for 21 years. Also, it was so fun to work with the other Youth Forum members and hear their ideas for planning how to celebrate the birthday.

I would not be here today if it was not for CHEO. The hospital truly changed my whole life. I remember when I was an inpatient thinking, “How will I be able to help youth that are in the same situation as me once I am better.” Giving back to a place that helped me so much has always been important to me. Youth Forum gives me that opportunity! Further, Youth Forum showed me that teens have a really important voice in advocating for health resources and they can make a difference. That inspired me to use my own voice more. It made me feel braver to share my own story and normalize mental health struggles with my family, friends, and through social media.

Honestly, in 21 years I just see myself being really, really happy. I’d love to go to university to become a clinical psychologist. So hopefully I am thriving in that career by then. I also have a passion for writing—in 21 years maybe I could have published a book too! I am still pretty young and my goals could change, but no matter what, in 21 years I see myself chasing my dreams and giving back to my community.

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