STATE OF

THE MOVEMENT

August 19-20

2026 STATE OF THE MOVEMENT:

National Partner Strategizing Convening

A two-day in-person convening to strategize and activate collective power to address systemic inequities that impact youth. Each workshop will explore systemic barriers, innovative solutions, and actionable steps to drive change. Workshops and sessions will provide space for deep collaboration, cross-sector learning, and youth-led insights to ensure a holistic approach to justice.

SOTM 2026 has a new format and is invite-only, and therefore is NOT open to the public this year.

But don’t worry: We are taking this year to convene with our national partners to strengthen the movement against youth homelessness.

We will eventually return to SOTM events that are open to the public–so be on the lookout in 2027!

SOTM Purpose:

SOTM is an annual event hosted by A Way Home America & partners to convene movement leaders working to end and prevent youth homelessness, to assess the current state of our movement, and work together to strategize and combine efforts to prevent and end homelessness for youth and young adults.

Click Here For Previous Event Recordings

August 2026 Event Theme: 

Strategize, Repair. Realign. Rebuild Together.

To convene national partners, youth leaders, and system actors to repair trust, reduce fragmentation, and align around a shared, actionable strategy to end and prevent youth homelessness—centering youth and young adult power, accountability, and cross-organizational coordination.

FAQs

  • The focus of the 2026 conference will be to:

    • Strengthen the movement and further build trust

    • Shift power to youth and young adults

    • Build cross-organizational alignment and accountability

    • Coordinate policy, research, and organizing strategy

    • Clarify commitments with shared ownership and follow-up

  • By the end of the convening, participants will co-develop a shared national framework for collaboration that includes:

    • Guidance to Align Priorities

    • Defined roles across organizations

    • Concrete commitments and behavior shifts

    • Initial accountability structures for follow-through

  • This is a highly curated, invitation-only gathering designed for organizations and leaders whose roles, influence, and partnership are critical to advancing a coordinated national strategy to end youth homelessness.

  • We’d love to have you! If you want to apply to be a presenter at SOTM 2026 Contact Dez Barnette Dez@awayhomeamerica.org if interested.

  • Participants will walk away with:

    • A shared understanding of the current landscape and key gaps in youth-serving systems

    • Clear cross-organizational priorities and opportunities for alignment on the national level

    • Documented commitments tied to action (not just ideas)

    • Stronger trust and relationships across national partners

    • A framework for youth-centered power-sharing in practice

    • Defined next steps, timelines, and accountability structures

    • Clarity to guide and support their internal teams 

  • Come as you are! This event is not a formal one. Be comfortable, be flashy, be YOU.