My name is Raine LeBlanc, and I grew up with a jailed dad and an absent mother. I didn’t have the financial or emotional support needed to navigate post‑secondary education alone. Despite the odds, I figured it out myself.  But this struggle is far too common for children of incarcerated parents, and it’s time to take action.

Aspire 2 Heal is the initiative I created to provide scholarships and support for youth of incarcerated parents ages 18–29. Instead of leaving their futures up to luck, we are building real pathways to education and stability.

Between 2019–2022, up to 405,373 children were affected by parental incarceration in Canada (CFSC; Kids with Incarcerated Parents Canada, 2022). Yet Canada collects no national data on these youth, and they are not recognized as victims under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights — despite parental incarceration being a documented Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE).

This invisibility makes it extremely difficult to justify and secure funding for programs like Aspire 2 Heal, even though the need is undeniable.

Parental incarceration creates economic hardship, emotional distress, and limited educational opportunities. Without support, these youth face higher risks of poverty, instability, and criminal involvement.

Investing in scholarships for these youth benefits everyone by:

• Empowering emerging professionals
• Opening doors to stable employment
• Reducing the likelihood of future criminal involvement

We are calling on the Government of Canada to create and fund a dedicated scholarship program for youth with incarcerated parents, ensuring they have equitable access to post‑secondary education.

Aspire 2 Heal already provides scholarships, mentorship, and emotional support - but without government funding, the reach remains limited. These youth deserve a system that recognizes their challenges and invests in their potential.

By signing this petition, you are urging policymakers to take responsibility and fund scholarships for youth with incarcerated parents. This investment strengthens their future — and our communities.

Thank you for advocating for change.

Want to go the extra mile? Consider donating $1-2 to the Aspire 2 Heal GoFundMe. https://gofund.me/22053ab08

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Citations

Canadian Friends Service Committee. (2023, September 25). New report estimates 405,373 children have a parent in custody; new documentary shows the harms this causes. (Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://quakerservice.ca/news/new-report-estimates-405373-children-have-a-parent-in-custody-new-documentary-shows-the-harms-this-causes/

Kids with Incarcerated Parents Canada. (2021). Brief to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. House of Commons of Canada. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from (https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/432/JUST/Brief/BR11424439/br-external/KidsWithIncarceratedParentsKIPCanada-e.pdf