Change Begins with Listening

Covenant House kicked off Youth Homelessness Awareness Month this November with an electrifying rally in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. Our residents and alumni were the first to take the stage, chanting, “Our future, our fight!” Their chants resonated throughout the night, guiding ralliers and onlookers to “face the truth” of the youth homelessness crisis. 

The event was emblematic of our belief that we can end youth homelessness as we know it by centering solutions to the crisis on the voices and experiences of the young people who have lived it. That’s why we’re rounding out the month with the publication of a landmark research project in which Covenant House youth and alumni played a central role.  

In partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Covenant House initiated the project two years ago to better understand the root causes of youth homelessness and the strategies that can help prevent homelessness in the first place.  

Developed with UC Berkeley’s Youth and Allies Against Homelessness (YAAH) Lab, it involved nearly 450 young people across 20 Covenant House sites in the U.S. and Canada. Youth participated in surveys and focus groups, but, even more strategically, they helped design the process and analyze the results.  

Youth like Mikayla Foreman, now a nursing student, who was one of six youth leaders and research interns central to the entire project. Mikayla shares below what it meant to her to be an integral part of the research and the quest for solutions to the youth homelessness crisis. 

Being a part of the YAAH, Youth and Allies Against Homelessness, internship — as part of the Covenant House prevention research project — has honestly been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve ever had. 

When I first joined, I thought it would just be another research program, but it turned out to be so much more. YAAH was a space where young people could learn, lead, and fully be ourselves. It gave us a voice and reminded us that our lived experiences weren’t things to hide; they were the very tools that made our perspectives valuable. 

Even though everything was virtual, it felt incredibly real. We had weekly buddy sessions, and those check-ins became something I looked forward to. It wasn’t just about assignments or deadlines; it was about showing up for each other. We supported one another through school stress, personal challenges, and even moments of doubt. There was a genuine sense of community and care. 

Our main project involved working with real transcripts from young people who had experienced homelessness. We learned to do thematic analysis, looking for emotions, patterns, and shared truths in their words. We created a codebook from scratch, defining each theme and carefully deciding when a code should be used. It taught me how to read beyond what’s written, to hear what’s being felt. 

But more than anything, it taught me about responsibility. When you hold someone’s story in your hands, you realize it’s not just data; it’s their truth. We talked a lot about ethics, consent, and care. And that changed how I see research. It’s not just numbers and words; it’s people’s lives. 

Something I really appreciated about YAAH is how it encouraged us to bring our whole selves to the table. We had real conversations about identity… being LGBTQ+, undocumented, or parenting while navigating systems that don’t always see us. The YAAH team reminded us that what makes us different is what makes us strong. 

I came into this internship anxious and unsure of my voice, but by the end, I felt confident enough to take initiative. Those sessions helped me see that I didn’t just belong in the conversation; I could lead it. 

Everything I learned, about advocacy, leadership, research, and empathy, prepared me for my role today as the president of the Essex County Youth Action Board. I’ve carried those lessons into every meeting and every decision, especially when I’m advocating for youth who’ve experienced homelessness. 

YAAH taught me that change doesn’t start with big speeches; it starts with listening. Listening deeply, with empathy, and turning what you learn into action. 

So, for me, this internship wasn’t just about gaining skills. It was about finding my voice, finding my purpose, and realizing that my story, and the stories of others, have the power to create real change. 

— Mikayla Foreman 

Get a copy of the full report, Preventing Youth Homelessness in Highly Marginalized Populations, today.