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CFS

Find An Advocate

What is an Advocate?

An advocate is someone who publicly supports the respect and observation of rights, policies, best interests and views.

What are the different kinds of advocacy?

Systemic Advocacy refers to advocacy that often happens in larger groups with a common cause, such as changing the age of aging out of care.

Self-advocacy refers to an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert their own interests, desires, needs, and rights.

Individual Advocacy can be formal or informal and requires two or more people who are advocating for someone’s best interests or rights. A lawyer or a professional advocate does formal advocacy. Standing up for a friend is informal advocacy.

Find an Advocate

Manitoba has two main advocate organizations for children and youth in CFS care.

Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth (opens in new window) (MACY) is a non-government organization that, under the law, has permission to investigate CFS and complaints related to CFS service.

VOICES: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network (opens in new window) provides peer-based advocacy support. All staff at this organization have lived experience with the system.

Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth (MACY)

The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth (MACY) is an independent office of the Manitoba legislature. That means they are outside the government and are not a part of any government department.

MACY is empowered by law to support and advise people 21 years old or younger of their rights and the services which should be available to them.

MACY also has responsibilities to conduct child-centred research, investigate the serious injuries and deaths of young people, issue formal recommendations to improve public services and monitor and report on compliance regarding the implementation of recommendations made by the Manitoba Advocate.

The Manitoba Advocate leads a team who represents the rights, interests, and viewpoints of children, youth, young adults, and their families who are receiving, or are entitled to receive, services in the areas of:

  • Child welfare
  • Adoption
  • Disabilities
  • Mental Health
  • Addiction
  • Youth Justice
  • Education
  • Victim Support (including domestic violence and sexual exploitation)

MACY provides direct advocacy, investigations, research, special reports, formal recommendations and compliance monitoring with recommended changes.

Contact MACY

The Winnipeg office is open

Monday through Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

346 Portage Avenue, Unit 100
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C3 (close to Portage Place Mall)

Phone: (204) 988-7440
Email: info@manitobaadvocate.ca

Thompson office is open

Monday through Friday:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

300 Mystery Lake Road
Thompson, MB R8N 0M2
(inside the City Centre Mall)

Phone: (204) 677-7270 or Toll-Free: 1-800-263-7146
(Manitoba only)

VOICES: Manitoba's Youth in Care Network

Through youth-driven leadership, community awareness and advocacy, VOICES: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network is committed to engaging, equipping, and empowering youth in and from care.

Contact VOICES by calling (204) 982-4956 or email info@voices.mb.ca and tell them you need help advocating.

Looking for Help?

Contact Info

Winnipeg:
(204) 988-7440
Thompson:
(204) 677-7270
Toll-Free:
1-800-263-7146 
Email: info@manitobaadvocate.ca

Contact Info

Phone: 204.982.4956 or
Toll-Free: 1.866.982.4956

Email: info@voices.mb.ca

Ashley Riazanov

Ashley Riazanov

Indigenous Youth Service Navigator

Can Help With: Connecting youth with cultural events such as sharing circles, medicine walks, sweat lodges, language and other workshops. I can also assist with navigating service...

Read Bio
Ashley Riazanov

Ashley Riazanov

she/her

Indigenous Youth Service Navigator

Can Help With: Connecting youth with cultural events such as sharing circles, medicine walks, sweat lodges, language and other workshops. I can also assist with navigating services throughout the province. I can provide advocacy in situations where your needs and voices should be met. Help with applications, getting ID, housing, referrals to services and resources, mental health, and substance use system navigation, and understanding government systems work.

FavouriteQuote: “It’s okay to fall apart sometimes, tacos do, and we still love them.”

Post-secondary pathway:

  • University of Winnipeg- Bachelor of Arts
  • Red River College- Early Childhood Education Diploma (Honours)

 

3 fun facts about me:

  • I love the beach.
  • I’m a soccer mama.
  • I strongly believe summer is the superior season.

 

Santiago Greico

Santiago Greico

Youth Service Navigator

Can Help With:

I can assist you with navigating services throughout the province. I can provide advocacy in situations where your needs and voices should be met. Help with appli...

Read Bio
Santiago Greico

Santiago Greico

(any pronouns)

Youth Service Navigator

Can Help With:

I can assist you with navigating services throughout the province. I can provide advocacy in situations where your needs and voices should be met. Help with applications, getting ID, housing, referrals to services and resources, mental health, and substance use system navigation, and understanding government systems work.

Favourite Quote:

“I’m trying to do better than good enough.” -Drake

Post-secondary pathway:

Addictions and Community Services Worker Diploma - CDI College. Current U of M student.

3 fun facts about me:

  • I play NHL habitually.
  • I like to watch cartoons.
  • I have a wide taste in all music.