Johnathan Ptak, Koskie, Minsky LLB
20 Queen Street West
Suite 900, Box 52
Toronto, Ont. M5H 3R3
CONFIDENTIAL Re: Jesse Larabee
I wish to confirm that I have been working with Jesse Larabee in my capacity as community worker with Supporting Our Youth since
2007. In this role, I have worked to provide advocacy, resources, referrals and a safer space for Jesse to talk about the struggles
Jesse has experienced over the years, and the ways they are working towards helping move their life forward in positive ways.
One of the ways in which I have supported Jesse is in transcribing some of their experiences growing up. At their request, Jesse and I
met weekly during the late fall of 2012 to talk about and document the abuse – verbal, physical and sexual – that Jesse endured in
early childhood at home and later, while in foster homes and various group homes in Sudbury and Timmins between the 1990’s and
early 2001. During those meetings, Jesse would talk and I would write, verbatim, what they told me. This was a difficult experience for
Jesse as they were recalling painful memories that brought up a considerable amount of emotion and sadness. I know that this was
very difficult for Jesse to talk about as they became emotionally overwhelmed on several occasions, cried and had to take breaks
during our meetings. These meetings took place in the month of November, 2012.
It is clear to me that if Jesse had received financial compensation for the abuses they suffered prior to and while in the care of the
child welfare system, they would not have struggled as much as they did in the years following discharge. There were many times that
Jesse felt isolated, angry and powerless. The consequences of this experience were damaging to Jesse’s wellbeing because the pain,
anger and frustration manifested in ways that harmed Jesse’s relationships with care providers, community organizations and family
members. The brokenness Jesse experienced as a child was repeated and perpetuated in their early adult life. With support, Jesse
could have achieved more success in school, and avoided becoming homeless. Compensation would have offered the opportunity for
meaningful therapy, assistance with managing anger, and addressing the roots of that brokenness.
After much searching, Jesse has been able to find a suitable psychotherapist with the skills and experience required to address these
issues and help Jesse in the recovery process. Due to the level of need that Jesse is experiencing, SOY and Sherbourne Health
Centre have arranged to provide some financial assistance to pay for a certain number of therapy sessions, through SOY’s Make
Change (youth emergency) fund. However, this funding is limited and the emotional work required in order for longer term healing to
take place will take far longer than we can support. We continue to work together to build a stronger foundation for Jesse, who is
determined to put any resources received into strengthening their resilience and ability to be self-sufficient and build positive, healthy
relationships. If Jesse were to receive compensation, they have committed to working with SOY staff and their psychotherapist to
build a plan for investing the money in their mental health and wellbeing (therapy, education and housing).
Jesse would benefit greatly from receiving compensation for the emotional and psychological damage that was done over a sustained
and significant period of time in Jesse’s life. Your support in this matter will make a significant difference. I appreciate and admire how
hard Jesse works to stay strong and resilient in the face of the struggles they have faced and continue to face. Please feel free to
contact me if you need further information. I can be reached directly by phone at 416-324-5077.
