By: Melanie Redman and Stephen Gaetz
Last month, we gathered in Toronto for a transformative conference focused on preventing youth homelessness, and it was truly inspiring. From the beginning, there was an undeniable sense of hope and positivity in the air. Over 600 participants from across the globe, including practitioners, advocates, lived experts, researchers, and policymakers, came together to share insights, experiences, and ideas on how we can better address this pressing issue that impacts so many young people and their families across Canada and internationally.
A key highlight of the conference was the opportunity to engage in deep discussions and exchange insights on effective strategies, emerging approaches, and innovative program models for preventing youth homelessness. While the challenges ahead are significant, the event underscored the vast potential for change. The energy and enthusiasm over the three days were undeniable, fostering a strong sense of unity and renewed motivation to drive meaningful action. The question now is: what should we do with this momentum?
Carry the learnings forward into our work
Just five years ago, the idea of a conference dedicated entirely to prevention seemed unlikely. Fast forward to today, with over 600 attendees, there was no need to persuade anyone of the importance and effectiveness of prevention as a key solution to homelessness. The enthusiasm and engagement throughout the event made it clear—people are ready for change.
Now, as we return to our communities and countries, we have a collective responsibility to put this knowledge into action. Whether it is by strengthening partnerships, advocating for policy reforms, implementing prevention-focused initiatives, or simply sharing insights within our networks, every effort matters. Prioritizing prevention is essential, and we must remain committed to advancing this conversation in every space we can. The emphasis on prevention is crucial, and we must work tirelessly to promote it in our conversations with our partners and within our networks.
We can do things differently, and we need to do things differently
As a community, we must build on the energy and passion ignited at the conference and turn it into meaningful action. Let’s continue the conversation, exchange ideas, and find innovative ways to put our learnings into practice. It is up to us to ensure that the knowledge, connections, and momentum gained during this event lead to real, lasting change.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the conference, and to the Elders, LivEx committee, staff, partners and sponsors who helped make it all possible. Your dedication, creativity, and perseverance reaffirm our shared belief that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. Prevention is no longer an afterthought—it is a necessary and achievable goal. As we move forward, let’s stay connected and continue working together to advance youth homelessness prevention.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing recordings of the plenary sessions, video interviews with insightful speakers, and blog posts from presenters, allowing you to revisit key discussions and takeaways at your convenience.
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