Life Skills

Life Skills & Independence Preparation

At Avanda Cares, preparing youth for independence isn’t an afterthought—it’s a core part of our care model. We know that many young people leave the child welfare system without the foundational tools needed to thrive on their own. Without meaningful preparation, they face an increased risk of homelessness, poverty, and isolation.

Our Life Skills & Independence Preparation program is designed to build confidence, increase competence, and foster long-term self-sufficiency—starting the moment youth enter our care and continuing well into early adulthood.

Life Skills & Independence Preparation Services

Core Life Skills We Teach

Our Life Skills curriculum is hands-on, culturally responsive, and designed to meet youth where they are developmentally and emotionally. It includes real-world simulations, one-on-one coaching, and structured skill-building in areas such as:

Financial Survival & Smart Money Habits

N

Understanding income sources: OW, ODSP, part-time work, and entrepreneurship

N

Learning to budget using cash flow charts and “needs vs. wants” analysis

N

Creating financial safety nets: emergency savings, understanding credit, avoiding predatory lenders

N

Bill management: paying rent, setting up utilities, phone/internet plans, using online banking safely

Kitchen Confidence & Nutritional Awareness

N

Meal planning with a fixed weekly budget (e.g., $75–100)

N

Grocery shopping using flyers, apps, and unit pricing

N

Reading food labels and managing dietary restrictions

N

Cooking basic, healthy meals—breakfasts, one-pot dinners, batch cooking

N

Food safety: expiration dates, cross-contamination, safe fridge storage

Housing & Apartment Survival Skills

N

Navigating rental applications, deposits, and tenant rights in Ontario

N

Understanding leases, LTB rules, and how to advocate for housing fairness

N

Cleaning, organizing, and maintaining a safe and hygienic space

N

Basic maintenance: plunging a toilet, changing light bulbs, using pest prevention techniques

N

Communicating with landlords in a respectful and assertive way

Health, Mental Wellness & Personal Care

N

How to book appointments (online/phone), fill prescriptions, and manage OHIP

N

Understanding mental health symptoms and accessing therapy or crisis lines

N

Building a personal self-care routine: grooming, menstrual care, laundry, dental hygiene

N

Navigating consent, sexual health, and healthy relationships

Routine, Boundaries & Self-Management

N

Creating a personalized weekly planner and goal tracker

N

Identifying personal triggers and learning regulation tools (deep breathing, timeout routines, journaling)

N

Establishing healthy sleep patterns and time-blocking daily responsibilities

N

Setting and respecting boundaries with peers, staff, and employers

Communication, Advocacy & Conflict Resolution

N

Navigating difficult conversations without aggression or avoidance

N

Writing professional emails and texts (school, employers, landlords)

N