The Power of Lived Experience: Sage Johnson's Impact on Youth Homelessness

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 compassionate Los Angeles.In this episode of the Young People to the Front podcast, hosts Tonny and Robin are joined by guest Jerry Jones, who leads the Greater LA Coalition on Homelessness. They discuss the importance of advocacy in addressing homelessness and the need for a united front of organizations and advocates. Jerry dives into the details of Measure A, a citizen-led ballot measure aimed at providing funding for homeless services and affordable housing. The conversation touches on the misconceptions surrounding homelessness, the role of coalition building, and the need for accountability and reform in contracting. Interview begins 00:08:17 Topics discussed in the episode:- Jerry Jones' background in homelessness advocacy- The importance of advocacy in addressing homelessness- The details and significance of Measure A- The need for accountability and reform in contracting- The misconceptions surrounding homelessness and the importance of shifting public narrativesConnect with Jerry and the Greater LA Coalition on Homelessnesshttps://glach.org/https://www.instagram.com/greaterlaunited/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557974560968https://twitter.com/GreaterLAunitedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/greater-la-coalition-on-homelessness/https://www.pinterest.com/GreaterLAunited/

In a continuation from episode 25, hosts Tonny and Robin 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 and infrastructure, and the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the community. They point out the potential challenges of security, police presence, and the influence of political leaders. Key topics discussed in the episode include:- Discussion on hosting the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028- The coffee shop wars brewing in the Virgil Village neighborhood- Concerns about the impact of the Olympics on the homeless population- Need for improved public spaces and infrastructure- Importance of prioritizing the community's well-being- Challenges of security and police presence- Influence of political leaders- Historical context of previous Olympic events- Emphasis on thoughtful planning and long-term benefitsConnect with Alissa:https://www.torched.la/https://www.facebook.com/alissawalkerhttps://twitter.com/awalkerinLAhttps://www.torched.la/latest/rsshttps://www.instagram.com/awalkerinla/https://www.threads.net/@awalkerinlahttps://thelapod.com/

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 last ten days of January and aims to estimate the number of unsheltered and sheltered youth in Los Angeles.- This year, there was a 17% decrease in the overall number of youth counted compared to the previous year, reflecting a shift towards more young people being housed.- The count revealed that 20% of the youth estimated had experienced chronic homelessness for over two years.- Significant percentages of youth were identified as having serious mental illness (22%), substance use disorder (15%), and developmental disabilities (11%).- The count also highlighted the disproportionate impact of youth homelessness on young people of color, with 40% being Black/African American and 41% being Hispanic/Latino.Tonny, Robin, Fatine and Laura also discussed the challenges of conducting the youth count, including the large area to cover, the timing of the count in January, and the difficulty in accurately capturing the hidden nature of youth homelessness. They emphasized the importance of community support and engagement in addressing youth homelessness and using the count's findings for advocacy and resource allocation.

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 and Robin are joined by journalist and host of the LA Podcast, Alissa Walker. They discuss various topics related to the Olympics in Los Angeles, including the history of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, the impact of the Olympics on the city, the over-policing and security concerns, the use of private contractors for security, and the challenges of hosting major events in terms of infrastructure and community impact.Key topics discussed in the episode include:The history of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and the transformation of the city during those times.The impact of the Olympics on residents, particularly in terms of security and over-policing.The role of private security contractors and their potential impact on communities.The challenges of hosting major events like the Olympics, including infrastructure and community concerns.The upcoming World Cup and Super Bowl in 2026 and 2027, and the potential implications for security and community impact.Connect with Alissa:https://www.torched.la/https://www.facebook.com/alissawalkerhttps://twitter.com/awalkerinLAhttps://www.torched.la/latest/rsshttps://www.instagram.com/awalkerinla/https://www.threads.net/@awalkerinlahttps://thelapod.com/

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 and Robin are joined by guest Sage Johnson. They discuss Sage's personal journey of experiencing homelessness as a young person and their transition into advocacy work. Here are the main topics discussed:- Sage's entry into the youth homeless system and their experience of couch surfing and housing instability.- The importance of advocacy and the need for young people with lived experience to be involved in shaping policies and programs.- Sage's involvement in various advocacy organizations and their work on a national level, including their role in the California statewide study of people experiencing homelessness.- The challenges and progress in creating opportunities for young people with lived experience to work within the system and provide support to their peers.- Sage's reflections on the impact of their advocacy work and the importance of creating opportunities for a better future.Connect with Sage:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagejohnsonspeaks/https://www.instagram.com/whatitdosagie/ 

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 Tonny and Robin are joined by guest Di Barbadillo. They discuss a variety of topics related to activism, protests, and knowing your rights. Here are a few key points covered in the episode:- Di's background and how she got involved in community organizing and activism.- The role of legal observers in protests and their responsibility to document any violations of First Amendment rights by law enforcement.- The importance of knowing your rights and how to assert them when interacting with the police.- Challenges faced by legal observers, including the need for more volunteers and the potential conflicts of interest for those working in certain professions.- The work of the National Lawyers Guild in providing Know Your Rights trainings and supporting advocacy groups in legal matters.Connect with Di:https://linktr.ee/dibarbadillohttps://instagram.com/deeeeezzyyyhttps://x.com/deeeezyyhttps://www.instagram.com/filledmarket/https://www.instagram.com/usapanorg/https://www.instagram.com/nlg.la/

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 shares her challenging experience in the foster care system, including multiple placements and the impact of trauma.- She emphasizes the importance of community support during her time in care and highlights the positive impact of a supportive group home.- Elvira discusses her involvement with A Sense of Home and how she initially benefited from their services as a former foster youth.- She talks about her role as a community resource navigator at A Sense of Home, connecting recipients with resources and coordinating special events for the Pay It Forward Alumni (PIFA) program.- Elvira also talks about her involvement on the boards of Heritage Group Homes and Remarkably Us, both focused on supporting foster youth and Latinas in the foster care system.Elvira's story highlights the importance of community and support for foster youth, and she offers valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the foster care system.Connect with Elvira on  Instagram 

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 homelessness policy space. They discuss the evolution of their organization over the past five years and the need to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Tonny, Fatine and Robin also touch on the significance of their new logo, which incorporates an amplifier symbol to represent their role in listening and amplifying the work of others. Overall, the rebranding reflects their commitment to creating structural change through innovative solutions and community collaboration.

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 Services' and the work and services they offer to youth. Tune in for laughter, nostalgia, and a look into the heart of the community in north Hollywood.

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 things.Cheyenne is a creative leader and multimedia artist, with talents ranging from filmmaking, producing, directing, editing, fashion, painting and design. As a transitional youth impacted by the foster care system, she is passionate about empowering other young adults with lived experience. Cheyenne is the Founder and Executive Director of Jenni's Flower, a non-profit organization that empowers transition-age foster youth to bloom their flowers by supporting them through their personal and professional development. Through Jenni's Flower, Cheyenne has created and maintained successful programs in 2023 such as the Foster Youth Flea Market, reaching over 50+ transition-age youth in just one year of operation. Cheyenne hopes to continue to fulfill her purpose of empowering others to heal and become self-sufficient through all avenues of her work and art.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 needs of young people. With every purchase, a shirt will be donated to a young advocate with lived experience of homelessness. #YoungPeopleToTheFront If you would like to donate a shirt to a young advocate. Please ship to: LACEYH 4308 Burns Ave, Los Angeles CA 90026