Youth affected by the Stigma of a Parent's Substance Use: Advocacy Council

Did you know that young people have a right to be free from discrimination, a right to access stigma free information, a right to parents who can access resources and supports, and a right to be protected and to heal from harm? We know from our lived experience that many of our peers do not get to experience this right because of the stigma of a parent's substance use. 

*By stigma we mean the presence of harmful behaviours or actions from people and systems or the lack of health promoting actions that could support our parent and us without fear or harm.

If you are you 18–30 and have lived through the stress or stigma of a parent’s substance use, and want to ensure every young person and their family can access the resources and support they need with our fear or shame,  we want you on our team!

Starlings Community is launching the next cohort of our Youth and Young Adult Advocacy Council led by youth, for youth. This is your chance to co-create real change alongside others who get it. As a Council member, you’ll use your lived expertise to develop resources, shape our campaigns, guide our messaging, and speak truth to systems that too often ignore our experiences.

You don’t need a degree, just a commitment to justice, healing, and showing up as you are.

As a Council member, you will:
Help design and lead youth-driven advocacy and children’s rights campaigns
Share insights to help adults and systems better support youth like you
Collaborate on content, events, and storytelling that centers real-life experiences
Join bi-weekly virtual meetings (1.5 hrs /week) with opportunities for extra engagement in projects and campaigns.

Who you are:
18–30 years old
Have lived or living experience of a parent’s substance use
Passionate about breaking stigma and building systems of care and belonging
Committed to equity, justice, and learning together in community

Why join?
Be part of a movement rooted in hope and change
Gain advocacy and leadership experience
Get access to mentorship, training, and a community that sees you

Some of the skills we value include:
Curiosity and a willingness to learn from others
Lived experience and a desire to share or hold space for others' stories
Creativity in writing, art, or digital storytelling
Comfort using social media or helping create content
Basic research or organizing skills
Graphic design or visual communication (Canva counts!)
A strong sense of justice and care for your community