PODCAST · government
Young People to the Front
by Young People to the Front
The Young People to the Front Podcast (YP2FPod) aims to elevate youth voices and increase awareness about youth homelessness in LA. By exploring the causes and LA-specific issues that intersect with youth homelessness, as well as highlighting actions that can be taken to solve it, we hope to build a broad support network and deepen our connection to the community.
Episodes
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Sherrie Bradford on Foster Care, Finding Her Voice, and Building Spaces That Actually Heal
Episode Notes: Sherry Bradford is a foster youth advocate, Prevention Early Intervention Training Coordinator at CASA of Los Angeles, educational consultant with Alliance for Children's Rights, and MSW candidate at Cal State Long Beach. In this episode, she sits down with Tonny to talk about her...
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Myriah on Foster Care, Knowing Your Rights, and Reclaiming Your Story
Episode Notes: Myriah didn't set out to become an advocate. After emancipating from foster care, she started sharing her story and the work just took off from there. From being featured in the LA Times, to representing her community as Miss Compton Princess, to serving four years on the LA County...
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Evelyn & Christopher on Youth Homelessness, Exploitation in Advocacy, and Showing Up As Your Whole Self
Episode Notes: What happens when the people closest to the problem are the last ones supported by the system? In this episode, we sit down with Evelyn Karina Rodriguez (they/them) — artist, activist, researcher, and founder of 404 Found — and Christopher Hendricks, youth system strategist and MSW...
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Fighting for Functional Zero: Youth Homelessness and the Future of HHAP
About JBAY and the Guests What JBAY does as an advocacy organization (not direct service) JBAY's work on state policy and budget investments for youth homelessness How both Simone and Brandon started in direct service before moving to advocacy What is HHAP? Flexible local aid administered by...
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Youth Homelessness and Kink Community: An Unexpected Path to Belonging with Cutter Ray Palacios
Episode Notes This week on Young People at the Front, Tonny, Robin, and Fatine open with banter about meeting your younger self. Then, Tonny sits down with Cutter Palacios, an actor, intimacy coordinator, and mental health educator whose story rewrites what survival, resilience, and belonging can...
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Axel Pecero on Fatherhood, Advocacy, and Building Community
Axel Pecero, Is a young advocate and father hailing from San Pedro, CA, serves as a dedicated advocate for foster youth. Currently an advocate by California Youth Connection (CYC). Axel is deeply committed to empowering and uplifting his community. He is pursuing his education at Los Angeles…
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Direct Cash Transfer Programs for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Ft. Sofie, Dwight, & Parker
On this weeks episode guest host Robin sits down for a conversation with Sofie, parker, and dwight to talk about the direct cash transfer pilot program in Oregon. For Context Oregon ranks third nationally in youth homelessness (1,315 youth) despite small population Nationwide youth homelessness...
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Dr. Eric Rice on Music, Building Community, and Youth Homelessness Research
The team kicks off with classic YP2F banter—Tonny, Robin, and Fatine swap summer stories, argue about when “summer actually ends,” and debate the best concerts of their lives. From Beyoncé at SoFi to Oasis at Wembley and a Big Sur camping trip gone slightly wrong (watch out for wasps), the crew...
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Navigating Youth Homelessness: Advocacy, Dignity, and Rebuilding Systems Ft. Amanda Nicholson
Episode Notes Host Tonny St. James sits down with artist, organizer, and consultant Amanda Nicholson to unpack the realities of navigating homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic—and the urgent need to rebuild systems with dignity at the center. Amanda shares her journey from couch surfing in...
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New Deal To End Youth Homelessness Ft. Josh Cogan & Aurora Higgs
YP2F: The New Deal to End Youth Homelessness — with Josh Kogan & Aurora Higgs Episode Notes Tonny sits down with Josh Kogan (Director of Public Policy) and Aurora Higgs (Associate Director of Communications) from Away Home America to talk about their New Deal to End Youth Homelessness—a bold,...
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Announcing Young People To The Front Headquarters! with Director Dr. Robin Petering.
Learn more at yp2f.org/hq Follow Robin on LinkedIn!
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Redefining Youth Homelessness: Iziaih on Building Systems That Actually Work
Iziaih Choquette On Youth Power, Systems Change, and Building a Future Beyond Survival In this energizing conversation, host Tonny St. James is joined by advocate, consultant, and community leader Iziaih Choquette (they/them) to kick off Season 3 of Young People at the Front (YP2F). Iziaih shares...
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Your Favorite Youth Homelessness Podcast is back!
Everyone favorite youth homeless policy podcast is back! Hosts Tonny St. James, Robin Petering, and Fatine Ait Haddou return to the studio to launch Season 3 of Young People to the Front. In this trailer, the team reflects on past seasons, new upgrades, and the mission ahead: amplifying youth...
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From Foster Care System to Storytelling - A Conversation on Youth Homelessness and Systemic Change with Loe
In this emotional and unflinchingly honest episode of YP2F, host Tonny St. James welcomes writer, filmmaker, and journalist Loe Renee for a conversation about what it means to survive—and thrive—after the foster care system. From early experiences in group homes to a professional journey through...
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Dr. Seth Pickens Talks the Importance of Building People, Not Just Buildings
In this latest episode of YP2F, hosts Tonny and Robin sit down with Dr. Seth Pickens; a pastor, researcher, and Managing Director of the Homelessness Policy Research Institute (HPRI) at USC and explore the powerful intersection of spirituality, data, and homelessness policy. From his journey in...
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Bridging Perspectives in Advocacy: A Conversation with Chino Quinlan and Christian Quijano
In this episode of Young People to the Front, Tonny, Robin and Fatine are joined by Christian Quijano and Chino Quinlan to discuss their shared work in youth homelessness advocacy and how their friendship and professional collaboration evolved from a West Coast convening event. Christian…
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Ep 38 - Reshaping Homeless Services with Ashley Bennett, the Director of Homelessness at the LA City Controller’s Office
In this episode of Young People to the Front, the hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine welcome guest Ashley Bennett, Director of Homelessness at the Los Angeles City Controller’s Office. The conversation explores Ashley’s personal journey from experiencing homelessness as a youth to becoming a community...
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Echo Park Research Collective Ft. Will Sens Jr
On this week's episode, Tonny sits down with Will Sens Jr. from the Echo Park Research Collective. The two discuss his non-traditional route to becoming part of a research project. Will shares his journey from being a resident of Echo Park Lake to participating in a research project alongside…
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Emmett Liljegren on Student Homelessness & Trojan Shelter
In this episode of Young People at the Front, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine welcome Emmett Liljegren, President of Trojan Shelter, a student-led organization at USC dedicated to providing housing for college students experiencing homelessness. Emmett shares his journey from volunteer to…
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Homeland Podcast’s Ben Kay Talks Skid Row Volunteering, Homelessness Advocacy, & Disaster Response
In this episode of Young People to the Front, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine welcome Ben Kay, a dedicated leader in Los Angeles’ homeless services sector and co-creator of the Homeland Podcast. Ben shares his personal journey from moving to LA for graduate school to volunteering on Skid Row just…
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Homelessness Prevention and Building a Better Future: Tai Jones on Systemic Change
In this episode of Young People of the Front, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine talk with Tai Jones, an Intensive Supporting Senior Case Manager at The People Concern in SPA 5 and entertainer who has performed on prestigious stages like The Wiltern Theatre and in major studios, including ABC.…
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Why the System Fails Foster Youth: Alexis Obinna on Policy, Advocacy & Change
In this episode of Young People to the Front, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine sit down with Alexis Obinna, a dedicated community advocate, social worker, and consultant. Alexis shares her powerful journey from an affluent upbringing to the foster care system, and how her lived experiences shaped…
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Addressing Water Scarcity Issues: Insights from Water Drop LA and SkidRow Advocates
In this episode of Young People to the Front, Tonny, Robin and Fatine sit down with members of Water Drop LA to explore their work addressing water access issues in Skid Row and beyond. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic, Water Drop has grown into a critical lifeline, distributing over 2,000...
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West Coast Convening, Measure A Success, and Mark Markarian on Youth Housing and System Reform
In this episode of the Young People to the Front, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine reflect on recent milestones, including the success of Measure A in Los Angeles County, which secures $1.2 billion in funding for homelessness initiatives. The team discusses their participation in the West Coast...
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Madin Lopez on Empowering Queer Youth & Building Safe Spaces with Project Q
In this powerful episode of Young People to the Front, we sit down with Madin Lopez, founder and executive director of Project Q, a nonprofit focused on empowering queer and trans youth of color through haircuts and community support. Madin shares their journey from navigating the foster care...
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Tackling Mental Health and Systemic Challenges in Social Work with Monae Dale
Welcome back to Episode 29 of The Young People to the Front Podcast! In this lively and insightful conversation, we are joined by Monae Dale, a native Angeleno and social worker, to discuss her experience working in social services, especially with homeless youth in Los Angeles. Monae brings her...
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Measure A: Addressing Homelessness in LA County with Jerry Jones
Looking for ways to shift public perception and advocate for meaningful policy changes in the fight against homelessness? Join us as Jerry Jones explores the role of storytelling, the impact of major events like the Olympics, and the need for inclusive decision-making in creating a more...
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Preparing for 2028: Continuing the Conversation on the Impact of the Olympics in Los Angeles with Alissa Walker
In a continuation from episode 25, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine discuss with Alissa Walker the implications of hosting the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. There are various concerns surrounding the event, such as the impact on the city's homeless population, the need for improved public spaces...
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Youth Count 2024: Estimating the Number of Homeless Youth in Los Angeles & Advocating for Change
In this episode of Young People to the Front, the hosts, Tonny, Laura, Fatine, and Robin, discuss the findings of the annual youth count, a project that estimates the number of homeless youth in Los Angeles. Here are the key points covered in the episode: - The youth count takes place over the…
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Lessons from the Past: How LA's Olympic History Shapes the Future of Security and Community Engagement with Alissa Walker
Curious about how the city of LA is preparing for the security and population challenges of hosting the Olympics, and the concerns that have been raised by community members and activists? In this episode of Young People to the Front, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine are joined by journalist and…
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The Power of Lived Experience: Sage Johnson's Impact on Youth Homelessness
Learn about the impact of Sage's advocacy work on a local, national, and statewide level in the fight against youth homelessness and how Sage is using their expertise to shape policies and initiatives aimed at addressing youth homelessness in California. In this episode of YP2F, hosts Tonny…
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Know Your Rights: The Role of Legal Observers with Di Barbadillo
Discover the power of knowing your rights and staying safe at protests with Di Barbadillo from the National Lawyers Guild. Learn about the challenges faced by legal observers and gain valuable insights into protecting yourself and others during demonstrations. In this episode of YP2F, hosts…
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Transforming Lives: Elvira Laguna's Mission to Support Former Foster Youth
YP2F hosts, Tonny and Robin are joined this week by special guest Elvira Laguna. Elvira shares her experience as a former foster youth and discusses her work at A Sense of Home, a nonprofit organization that provides fully furnished apartments for former foster youth. In this episode: - Elvira...
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Rebrand Alert: We’ve Always Been Young People to the Front
In this episode, Tonny, Fatine and Robin delve into the rebranding of their organization, Lens Co, to Young People to the Front Incorporated. They explain that the change was necessary to streamline their mission and vision, as Lens Co no longer accurately represented their work in the youth...
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Have You Heard About North Hollywood?
Tonny sits down with Gayle, Sandy, and Grant for a discussion about their work at The Village Family Services in North Hollywood. Tonny and Gayle also recall their time in HYFLA. They talk about how not all youth are aware of service providers outside Hollywood and delve into The Village Family...
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Jenni's Flower Ft. Cheyenne
In this week's episode, Tonny sits down with Cheyenne, the executive director of Jenni's Flowers. They discuss a variety of topics, including the foster care system, healthy coping mechanisms, attending university in California, and how healing from trauma can lead to the creation of beautiful...
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Utilizing Your Skills for Community Benefit Ft. Nathaniel
In this episode, we finally phoned a friend in space. Yes, that's right, the multi-talented Nathaniel Patterson is in the podcast studio. We talked to him about how he got into tech, and how he uses the skills he learned in tech to help organizations across the country incorporate tech in their...
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L.A Law on Criminalization of Homelessness Ft. Shayla Myers
Tonny and Robin sat down with Shayla Myers, a senior attorney at the Unhoused People's Justice Project at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA). She works alongside community organizations, unhoused residents, and tenants to end the criminalization of poverty. This episode covers a…
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YP2F After Dark Ep 1 Ft. Cowboy Carter predictions
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Assembly man Isaac Bryan
Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the needs of young people. With...
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We are back Ft. YP2F Main Cast
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Trip down memory lane Ft. Laura & Nicole
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Youth Specific Services Ft. Erin Casey
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Resources and Tech with the WIN App Ambassadors
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Inside City Hall with Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Importance of Youth Involvement in Policy Change Ft. Whitney
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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YP2F Live!
Our first ever LIVE episode of YP2FPod, recorded at the California Endowment during the opening of the YP2F Policy Summit held August 8th, 2023. Please understand that there were audio issues in the live recording. We did our best to resolve it but our editing magic only goes so far. We thought…
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Youth Homelessness Policy 101 Ft. Dexter
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Introducing Whimzi Ha
We can end youth homelessness Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the...
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Equitable Access Ft. Marisol Lara
Every year, one in ten young people between the ages of 18-25 experience homelessness in the United States. In order to end the experience of homelessness, our society need to embark on drastic change by prioritizing young voices and building systems that support the needs of young people. With...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Young People to the Front Podcast (YP2FPod) aims to elevate youth voices and increase awareness about youth homelessness in LA. By exploring the causes and LA-specific issues that intersect with youth homelessness, as well as highlighting actions that can be taken to solve it, we hope to build a broad support network and deepen our connection to the community.
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Young People to the Front
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Young People to the Front have?
Young People to the Front currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Young People to the Front about?
The Young People to the Front Podcast (YP2FPod) aims to elevate youth voices and increase awareness about youth homelessness in LA. By exploring the causes and LA-specific issues that intersect with youth homelessness, as well as highlighting actions that can be taken to solve it, we hope to build...
How often does Young People to the Front release new episodes?
Young People to the Front has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Young People to the Front?
You can listen to Young People to the Front on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Young People to the Front?
Young People to the Front is created and hosted by Young People to the Front.
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