2.3: Building Community Partnerships

Before reaching out to new organizations, take a look at the relationships you already have. Many organizations discover their strongest referral pathways already exist, they simply have not been viewed through a young caregiving lens.

Evaluating Existing Networks

Think about your existing network, including:

  • Organizations you already collaborate with on joint projects.
  • Agencies that routinely refer clients to your existing programs.
  • External services you regularly recommend to families.
  • Internal programs within your own organization where enrolled children or youth may be providing care at home.
  • Professional contacts or advisory groups you’re already connected to.

It’s also worth looking within your own programs. If you’re already serving children and youth, some participants may be young caregivers, you may simply not have recognized their role yet.

Ask yourself:

  • Which organizations do we already have strong relationships with?
  • Which of those partners are already supporting the children, youth, and families we hope to reach?
  • Could there already be young caregivers within our own programs? 

★ Powerhouse® Tip: Every community is different. Start by strengthening the relationships you already have and focus on building a few key partnerships rather than trying to connect with every organization at once. Meaningful, long-term relationships create the strongest and most sustainable referral pathways.

Think About Why a Young Person Is Providing Care

When identifying potential partners, think about who is already supporting the individual receiving care or the family as a whole.
The community partner categories from Topic 2.2 provide a framework for identifying organizations that may already be connected to these families. The examples below illustrate common organizations within each category.

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Schools — School boards, elementary and secondary schools, school mental health teams, guidance departments, child and youth workers.

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Healthcare & Community Care — Hospitals, children’s hospitals, primary care teams, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, home and community care providers, seniors’ services.

❤️

Health & Disability Organizations — MS Society of Canada, Alzheimer Society, Canadian Cancer Society, Autism organizations, local disability organizations, disease-specific organizations.

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Mental Health & Substance Use Organizations — CMHA, youth mental health agencies, family mental health programs, counselling services, addiction treatment services.

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Family & Community Services — YMCA, BGC Canada, family resource centres, recreation departments, child welfare organizations (e.g., Children’s Aid Societies), children’s service agencies, Indigenous Friendship Centres.

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Settlement & Newcomer Services — Settlement agencies, newcomer services, multicultural organizations, immigrant-serving organizations.

Now Apply It to Your Community

Every community has a unique network of organizations already supporting children, youth, adults, and families. Before looking for new partners, take inventory of the relationships you already have. You may discover that many of your strongest referral opportunities already exist.

Current Partnership Check-In
Take a few minutes to reflect:

  • Which organizations do we already collaborate with?
  • Who regularly refers families to us?
  • Who do we currently refer families to?
  • Which partnerships are already strong and could be expanded?

★ Powerhouse® Tip: Focus on strengthening a few meaningful partnerships before building new ones. Existing relationships often become the strongest and most sustainable referral pathways.