People who experience poverty often lack natural supports such as family, community, and peer relationships. This is particularly the case for youth who are experiencing poverty (The Change Collective, 2017). There is growing evidence that show the link between natural support and healthy development (The Change Collective, 2017). Some organizations are trying to address the gap in natural supports that many vulnerable and marginalized people experience. Right now, the understanding of the need for natural supports outpaces the understanding of how to repair natural supports for those who lack them.

 

Resources

Working with Vulnerable Youth to Enhance their Natural Supports: A Practice Framework

Family and Natural Supports Program Framework V 2.0

Final Report: A Profile on Social Isolation in Canada (2006)

Belonging to One Another: Building Personal Support Networks