Point Source Youth

Join us at the PSY Innovation Summit for a fireside chat with Lady Shug, Erandy Flores, and Isaac Sanders that will celebrate the rich histories and contributions of Indigenous and queer communities in social justice and movement building. Participants will explore how these intersecting identities have shaped transformative movements and how their legacies continue to inform inclusive approaches to social change. The Innovation Summit will take place January 14-15 in Portland, Oregon. Register now at https://bit.ly/3XUJrcZ!

We recently spent the day with the Housing Narrative Lab and other housing justice orgs in NYC attending a Storytelling Deep Dive workshop! We learned so much about creating impactful messaging that honors the powerful work our organizations do. And it was beautiful to reconnect with our fellow community members!

Big thanks to Andrés (Andrew) Palomo for the shout-out! PSY is grateful for the incredible work being done by the National Network for Youth in advancing the movement to end youth homelessness. Shout-out as well to our local partners, Valley Youth House and Building Changes, for their ongoing commitment. At PSY, we're focused on direct cash transfers as a key strategy in our efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness. Together, we’re making progress!

On Trans Day of Remembrance, we honor and remember all of the trans lives lost to transphobic violence and to the compounding injustices experienced from trans young people’s disproportionately high experiences of housing instability. Today, we reflect on the profound impact of these losses, while also reaffirming our collective commitment to protect and uplift trans young people in our work to end youth homelessness. As we look ahead we recognize the critical need to show up for each other and continue the fight for justice. We are especially grateful for our trans siblings who dedicate themselves to supporting and empowering young people every day. Together, we remain resolute in centering trans safety, joy, and resilience in the movement to end youth homelessness. #TransDayOfRemembrance

If you have 15-20 minutes to spare, consider supporting the work to end youth homelessness by completing this survey from The Administration for Children and Families! ACF has launched a peer support services survey to hear directly from program providers/administrators and peer support workers. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3Ofzbqc

?? Louisville's guaranteed income pilot, YALift!, just released promising results! This groundbreaking program provided $500 monthly to 151 young adults, helping them tackle financial hardships, secure housing, and pursue job training and education. The program's impact is clear: recipients were 32% more likely to have full-time employment, three times more able to cover emergency expenses, and 70% less likely to face eviction compared to peers without this support. The success of YALift! amplifies the power of direct cash assistance that PSY believes in. When we trust and resource young people, they are able to lead thriving, fulfilling lives. Read more about it here! https://bit.ly/3O61tDq

We're looking for volunteers for January's Innovation Summit in Portland, OR to help set up the space, staff the registration table, and direct attendees to where they need to go. Volunteers will receive free access to conference sessions that do not take place during their scheduled volunteer duties, an opportunity to work behind-the-scenes with PSY staff, and great networking opportunities with your fellow volunteers and attendees! Applications will close on Friday, November 22nd, or until all spots are filled. Apply to volunteer or sign up to register here: https://lnkd.in/e6TBmETq

We are so excited to share that Isaac Sanders Consulting and PSY, along with two indigenous youth homeless workers in Washington state, have been awarded the Peter Mack and Jaime Mayerfeld award through the Center for Human Rights at the University of Washington. This will allow us to capture more accurately indigenous young people's experiences in prevention of youth homelessness. "Our discussions centered around developing a survey aimed to address the issue of homelessness and emphasize the importance of cultural practices, family connections, and community support in prevention strategies. We are currently looking at the surveys and synthesizing the information into a topic briefing that will reflect the experiences and voices of indigenous youth in order to advocate for culturally grounded solutions to youth homelessness." — Isaac Sanders Read more about this collaboration here! https://lnkd.in/eUHHXHQY

We're thrilled to share the agenda for our upcoming Innovation Summit taking place in Portland, Oregon from January 14th to 15th, 2025! This agenda reflects our core strategic belief — that Direct Cash Transfers and Youth Advocacy are our most effective and sustainable tools to end youth homelessness. At this summit, we will be exploring these strategies in depth, and will prioritize the critical work of being together, and honoring one another in community. We've developed a rich program alongside youth advocates and dedicated community-based organizations based in Portland and beyond. Explore the agenda and register here! https://bit.ly/3YKy6gb

?? New National Youth Homelessness Partnership ?? The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has launched the National Youth Homelessness Partnership to amplify the voices of youth with lived experiences of homelessness in the fight to prevent and end youth homelessness. This new alliance connects federal agencies, national homelessness organizations, and a Youth Advisory Group led by young people directly impacted by homelessness. Together, we're committed to: ? Empowering youth leadership in shaping solutions ? Enhancing collaboration across all levels to make lasting change ? Supporting the Federal Strategic Plan to prevent homelessness nationwide?