ABOUT
Our Mission
A Way Home America transforms systems through public policy to prevent and end homelessness for Black, Indigenous, youth of color, and LGBTQIA+ youth, on a path to housing justice for all. We are a leader in the youth homelessness movement, uniting with national partners to ensure our systems work for all youth. Youth homelessness exists today largely due to America’s long history of structural racism and systemic inequities.
Who We Serve
Black, Indigenous, youth of color, and LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults at risk of and experiencing homelessness in two age segments from ages 13-17 and 18-30.
Vision
Our vision is for all youth and young adults under 30 in the United States to have access to a variety of housing options through transformative public policy solutions that affirm equitable housing as a human right.
Approach
Our approach to tackling the challenge of youth homelessness is multifaceted. We believe leading with lived experience provides a unique perspective into solving the problems before us. Our leadership team and staff are made up primarily of individuals with firsthand, personal experiences of homelessness or housing insecurity. By living our values, we strive to provide the support and resources to young people facing difficult circumstances.
We are a broad coalition of homeless youth providers, advocates, researchers, government agencies, philanthropists and young people dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness among all youth and young adults in the U.S. Our country is at a critical point where we can leverage local, state, and national efforts to end youth homelessness by building on a foundation of decades of advocacy and work on the ground to support and uplift our youth.
The circumstances that lead young people to experience homelessness are unique to the individual. They may be rooted in family conflict, like running away from an abusive household, or being kicked out of their home after coming out to their family as LBGTQ+. Other contributing factors include racial disparities and systemic inequalities, aging out of foster care, poverty, mental health challenges, substance misuse, and more.
Our Core Principles
Youth homelessness exists today largely due to America’s long history of structural racism and systemic inequities. In order to end youth homelessness, we will work to ensure our systems work for all youth. AWHA is committed to centering the importance of racial equity and justice in all of our work to end youth homelessness. We see equity as providing opportunities and resources based on need, realizing not everyone starts in the same place. Justice takes this concept a step further by removing the barriers that impede equal rights and self-determination; it seeks to overturn oppression at its roots. A Way Home America is guided by the following core values:
Recognize and Center Intersectionality
Name and Challenge White Supremacy
Engage in Principled Struggle
Practice Targeted Universalism
Generate Transformative Visions Towards Liberation
Create a Culture of Accountability
Shift Power to Youth and Young Adults