About the New Youth Voices Blog Series

At the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), we believe in the power of stories to inspire, educate, and drive meaningful change. Behind every initiative and every project, there are people—individuals who have experienced the challenges of homelessness firsthand and those who dedicate their lives to serving youth in crisis. Their voices hold invaluable insights into the realities of homelessness and the paths to solutions.  

We are thrilled to share a new blog series - Youth Voices - to spotlight the lived experiences of youth who have run away or are experiencing homelessness, as well as the service providers who work tirelessly to support them.

The Importance of Lived Experience  

Youth homelessness is not just a statistic or a program issue—it is a deeply personal and often isolating experience. At FYSB, we understand that creating impactful programs starts with listening to those who have lived it. Young people who have faced homelessness bring a unique perspective that enriches our understanding of their needs and challenges. By amplifying their voices, we ensure our work is grounded and responsive to the complexities of their experiences.  

This commitment extends beyond listening. FYSB actively incorporates the expertise of individuals with lived experience into our program development and implementation. Whether through advisory councils, leadership roles, or focus groups, we strive to create spaces where their voices shape the future of our services. Young people with lived experience and FYSB grant recipients assist in the development and review of our content and resources. This approach not only makes our programs more effective but also empowers young people to see themselves as agents of change in their own lives and communities.  

What to Expect  

This blog series will explore the compelling stories of youth and service providers. Each blog will feature a unique perspective, offering a window into the challenges of homelessness and the innovative solutions that are making a difference.  Some of the topics we will cover include:  

• Personal stories from young people who have transitioned from homelessness to housing stability, sharing the support systems and strategies that helped them along the way.  
• Firsthand accounts from FYSB-funded service providers on the ground, detailing the innovative practices they use to connect with and support youth.  
• Insights into how the lived experiences of youth and providers inform FYSB’s programs, ensuring they remain responsive to emerging needs.  
• Examples of how FYSB programs are fostering change at the local level, building partnerships, and creating lasting impact for youth and families.  

In recent years, FYSB has taken intentional steps to deepen our engagement with individuals who have lived experience. From supporting the development of youth advisory boards, to incorporating youth feedback into the development of products and resources we are embedding their expertise into the very fabric of our work.  

Similarly, we continue to strengthen our partnerships with providers, ensuring they have the resources, training, and support needed to innovate and expand their services. These collaborations are vital to achieving our shared goal of preventing and ending youth homelessness.  

Read the first installment of this series - Youth Voices - How Concerned Adults Can Support Young People Experiencing Homelessness - and don’t forget to share these stories with your networks. Change begins with awareness, and your voice can amplify these important messages.