Florida Coalition Homelessness Conference Highlights!

Today, I had the privilege of attending two incredible sessions at the Florida Conference on Ending Homelessness, each filled with powerful insights and calls to action.

The Criminalization of Homelessness
This plenary session shed light on the troubling rise in criminalization efforts across the nation, exploring the implications of a recent Supreme Court decision and the surge in violence against unhoused individuals. Data was shared to emphasize the gravity of the issue, and the speakers offered evidence-based solutions as alternatives to criminalization. Key takeaways included the importance of compassion-driven practices and the urgent need to move beyond punitive measures.

Let’s Talk Change: Youth Leading the Conversation on Homelessness
From 11:10 AM to 12:10 PM, I joined a transformative town hall where young leaders with lived experiences of homelessness took the stage. Members of the Youth Action Board (YAB) led an open, honest discussion about breaking free from short-term solutions and driving real, sustainable change. Their courage and vision were truly inspiring, reminding us why youth leadership is crucial to advocacy and change.

Key Lessons from Today’s Sessions:
• You have the power
• Listen to what they need
• We all need to come together
• Involve lived experience youth and young adults in leadership
• Purpose and passion matter
• Be a voice and speak for the cause
• Be radical and intentional
• Share your story—this is who we are

These sessions ignited my determination to keep advocating for real, impactful solutions to end homelessness. Together, through intentionality, passion, and listening to those with lived experience, we can create lasting change.

Day 2 Highlights from the Florida Coalition Homelessness Conference

We started the day with a powerful plenary session, I’m Not Broken: Offering Hope to Solve Homelessness. Jesse Leon shared his inspirational journey of overcoming human trafficking and homelessness. His story reminds us: those experiencing homelessness are not broken—they are resilient.

From 10:15 – 12:30, I joined From Young Person to Young Leader: Moving From Transactional to Transformational, an eye-opening session about how slowing down and intentionally engaging youth as leaders sparks transformational growth.

Later, the National Alliance to End Homelessness plenary celebrated progress and addressed challenges in advancing solutions.

In the afternoon, I attended Panel Unscripted: Central Florida’s Journey Towards Authentic Youth Collaboration, where Youth Action Board members and providers shared the power of centering youth voice in leadership.

The day ended with Nothing About You, Without You, unveiling Florida’s Statewide Youth Action Board initiative, which empowers youth voices, builds community, and trains service providers on collaboration.

At night, we lit the hotel green for End Youth Homelessness Day. The awards, a heartfelt poem, and a moving dance performance made this event unforgettable.

Today’s lessons:
• Break down barriers
• Adopt a growth mindset
• Focus on strengths
• Establish genuine relationships
• Your work matters—you’re planting seeds.

You matter. You’re not alone. I believe in you.

Reflections from the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness Conference

Day 1 was an inspiring journey of learning and advocacy!

Plenary with Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown: Amidst the challenges of poverty, homelessness, and rising injustices, we were reminded that healing and joy are essential to sustaining progress in housing justice.

Sessions that stood out:
➡ Adultism Disrupted: Empowering youth as true collaborators to challenge biases and build equity.
➡ From Integration to Inclusion: Moving beyond the table to truly support youth with lived homelessness experiences.
➡ Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program: Lessons from Central Florida’s transformative 6-year journey.
➡ Vulnerability and Exploitation: Insights into the intersections of homelessness, violence, and trafficking among youth.

Key Takeaways:
Self-care is vital. Share your story. Advocate. Respect every voice. Change the energy in the room. Keep going. Together, we can create housing solutions that are inclusive, equitable, and transformative.

Join us for a night of lights and community at the 39th Annual Main Street Festival of Lights on November 23rd!  Stop by our tent to learn more about the HDS Foundation and our work supporting teens and young adults with Autism. We can’t wait to share our mission with you and celebrate together! See you there!