Gale Stewart and her husband Paul were foster parents for 10 years. During that time, the couple met many courageous children and youth, many of whom had lived at multiple homes.
"It was easy to realize that a teenager who had been through five to 10 foster homes was not interested in relating to another adult, let alone recognize another set of foster parents as mom and dad," says Stewart, who is the founder and executive director of Aunt Leah's Place, a nonprofit organization that helps foster kids and young mothers stay off the streets. "Rather the opposite was occurring, their natural instincts to seek independence-the inclination of all teens I think-was in full force."
Stewart realized what the kids needed was a supported environment where they could learn the skills to live independently. "When foster children in B.C. reach the age of 19, all support is removed and they are expected to know how to live on their own."
In the mid-'80s, Stewart asked friends and neighbours who had basement suites in their homes if they would let her use them to house foster teens for the purpose of teaching essential life skills. She acquired three suites and began to administer one-on-one support for three teenagers. Realizing the liability connected to her new initiative, Stewart sought legal advice and in 1988, incorporated Aunt Leah's, which now has 16 suites in its Support Link Program. The Ryerson grad believes the Lower Mainland's homeless problem can be fixed. "Just look after the foster kids," she says
"When interviewed, over 60 per cent of Vancouver's homeless selfidentified as former foster kids. This is not rocket science. We allow an incubator of vulnerable children become Vancouver's future homeless."
Aunt Leah celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. CBC's Margaret Gallagher and I will host Aunt Leah's 10th annual Lonely Hearts Club Band benefit concert March 31. Go to auntleahs.org for details.
Who is Aunt Leah?
Leah was my paternal grandmother and who I call my first "significant other" after my parents. Leah lived on a farm in southern Ontario. She had 12 children and 10 of those children survived (five boys/five girls). My father was third youngest.
What is Aunt Leah's House?
If a teen mom is able to parent, then we would support her in learning the parenting skills she would need and also support her as she transitioned with her young family into the community. If the mom is not able or not ready to parent, then we would help her find an alternative caregiver for her baby and support her through this transition.
How many kids have you helped?
Each year we would have supported between 25 to 35 youth and moms in our residential programs and another community of youth who attend our food services, retail and landscape training programs.
How is Aunt Leah's supported?
Approximately 50 per cent of our programs are under government contract and the other 50 per cent of programming that support the homeless and teen mothers moms and the foster children who have aged out of government care are supported through our fundraising efforts and individual donations.
What is your hope for Aunt Leah's?
I hope that our "Post-Care" programs will become so successful and show such strong outcomes that government will be forced to pass legislation that entitles foster children to have the same benefits/support that parented homes provide for their children.
Biggest wish?
That I would become an exceptional fundraiser and storyteller- or win the lottery.
What does success look like?
One of the core values at Aunt Leah's is: "Success is fragile and must be tended to with care." So the way we measure success is very different from conventional ways. Sometimes it's as fragile as seeing a youth lift their head and produce a smile.
One lesson you'd love to give others?
Fear causes us to be quite isolated. What we don't know/what we haven't experienced makes us afraid. We need to create more spaces where we can sit safely beside the vulnerable and find out that there is nothing to be afraid of.
One thing you wish Vancouverites would stop whining about?
Roberto Luongo and the weather.
Biggest accomplishment?
Raising four children who are now my friends.
Three words to live by?
Passion, kindness and trust.
What is your secret talent?
My biblical knowledge is pretty good.
Best place for coffee?
Calabria on Commercial Drive and Characters in Marpole.
Best bar/lounge?
Sylvia Hotel.
Favourite restaurant?
Libra Room on Commercial Drive.
Your biggest indulgence?
Wasting a morning in deep thought or writing.
Last book read?
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake and God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens.
Favourite movie?
Out of Africa.
Favourite pastime?
Hanging out with my children and grandchildren.
Last place travelled? Argentina. . Best thing about this city?
Its beauty and there are no freeways.
Worst thing about this city?
The homeless problem-that can be so fixable. Smaller issue: Why can't I buy a bottle of wine at a supermarket and bring it home for dinner?
Who inspires you?
Aunt Leah's youth and mom's, Gloria Steinem, and Stephen Lewis.
Who bugs you?
Don Cherry.
Local person you admire most?
Carole Taylor.
Most memorable celebrity encounter?
Walking into Joan Baez at Expo 86.
If you could be any celebrity?
Gloria Steinem or Stephen Lewis.
