A systems approach is needed to respond to youth homelessness in 91ɫ Region and Canada. This was the message at yesterday’s research forum: Re-Imagining Our Response to Youth Homelessness: A Canadian and Global Perspective, organized by United Way 91ɫ Region (UWYR) and 91ɫ at the Markham Convergence Centre.
“A multi-sectoral approach is necessary. Non-profit organizations, universities, governments and other key stakeholders have to work together to end youth homelessness and move forward with one clear vision,” said keynote speaker Stephen Gaetz, 91ɫ professor and director of the Canadian Homelessness Research Network. “We need to reconsider our response to youth homelessness and shift our focus away from an emphasis on emergency supports towards prevention and rapid rehousing.”
Representatives from a variety of sectors gathered at the Markham Convergence Centre to talk about an effective response to youth homelessness in 91ɫ Region and Canada.
The research forum was organized by UWYR in partnership with 91ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) Unit through a one-year Public Outreach Grant from the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
“We see this event as a great opportunity to invite people to think differently about youth homelessness and learn from other jurisdictions,” said Jane Wedlock, knowledge mobilization officer, UWYR. “And we can consider wh
ether we might explore some of these different approaches.”
Stephen Gaetz
Examples were drawn from different Canadian provinces and other countries that have undertaken some innovative approaches to addressing youth homelessness.
"It was impressive to see 91ɫ research at a forum designed to facilitate relationship building, a two-way exchange between academic researchers and practitioners in social service provision, all with one common vision to support positive changes in addressing issues of youth homelessness in 91ɫ Region," said Michael Johnny, manager of knowledge mobilization at 91ɫ.
"Research Forums, such as the one held yesterday, are an important process of effective knowledge mobilization by creating a culture of collaboration and realizing the potential for research to have a direct and positive impact for 91ɫ Region," said Johnny.
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