The first-ever Young People to the Front (YP2F) Youth Homelessness Research Conference brought together a powerful mix of researchers, advocates, service providers, and young people to tackle one of Los Angeles’ most urgent and under-researched issues: youth homelessness. The event focused on bridging the gap between data, lived experience, and practical solutions to better support unhoused youth across the city.
To set the tone for the conference, our lab hosted a pre-conference networking event where our seven youth interns—each with lived experience of homelessness—connected with local LA youth advocates. This gathering created space for relationship-building, solidarity, and shared visioning before the main event.
Our lab was proud to bring seven youth interns with lived experience of homelessness to present at the conference. Their voices and insights grounded the event in real-world context and ensured that research discussions were deeply informed by those most impacted. To foster connection and community ahead of the conference, we also facilitated a networking event the day prior, which brought together our youth interns and local LA youth advocates. This gathering created space for dialogue, relationship-building, and collective visioning rooted in shared experience and a commitment to change.
Conference goals included:
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Mapping out what we currently know—and don’t know—about youth homelessness in LA
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Identifying gaps in existing data and research systems
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Building stronger connections between young people, researchers, and service providers to ensure research leads to real-world impact
