Young People to the Front

Episode Notes: Sherry Bradford is a foster youth advocate, Prevention Early Intervention Training Coordinator at CASA of Los Angeles, educational consultant with Alliance for Children's Rights, and MSW candidate at Cal State Long Beach. In this episode, she sits down with Tonny to talk about her journey through the foster care system, how she got into advocacy, and her role in creating the TA(Y)LK...

Episode Notes: Myriah didn't set out to become an advocate. After emancipating from foster care, she started sharing her story and the work just took off from there. From being featured in the LA Times, to representing her community as Miss Compton Princess, to serving four years on the LA County Board of Supervisors Youth Commission, she's spent years making sure young people in care are in the r...

Episode Notes: What happens when the people closest to the problem are the last ones supported by the system? In this episode, we sit down with Evelyn Karina Rodriguez (they/them) — artist, activist, researcher, and founder of 404 Found — and Christopher Hendricks , youth system strategist and MSW candidate at Cal State Fullerton. Both are rooted in Southern California, and both found their way to...

About JBAY and the Guests What JBAY does as an advocacy organization (not direct service) JBAY's work on state policy and budget investments for youth homelessness How both Simone and Brandon started in direct service before moving to advocacy What is HHAP? Flexible local aid administered by California Department of Housing and Community Development Funding goes to 58 counties, 14 largest cities,...

Episode Notes This week on Young People at the Front , Tonny, Robin, and Fatine open with banter about meeting your younger self.  Then, Tonny sits down with Cutter Palacios, an actor, intimacy coordinator, and mental health educator whose story rewrites what survival, resilience, and belonging can look like. Cutter moved to Los Angeles at 19 with $500, a dream, and nowhere to go. For two and a ha...

Axel Pecero, Is a young advocate and father hailing from San Pedro, CA, serves as a dedicated advocate for foster youth. Currently an advocate by California Youth Connection (CYC). Axel is deeply committed to empowering and uplifting his community. He is pursuing his education at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, striving to expand his knowledge and skills. With a passion for entrepreneurship,...

On this weeks episode guest host Robin sits down for a conversation with Sofie, parker, and dwight to talk about the direct cash transfer pilot program in Oregon. For Context Oregon ranks third nationally in youth homelessness (1,315 youth) despite small population Nationwide youth homelessness increased 10% in 2024 Program Structure Oregon provided $1,000/month for 24 months plus a one-time $3,00...

The team kicks off with classic YP2F banter—Tonny, Robin, and Fatine swap summer stories, argue about when “summer actually ends,” and debate the best concerts of their lives. From Beyoncé at SoFi to Oasis at Wembley and a Big Sur camping trip gone slightly wrong (watch out for wasps), the crew ends up reflecting on what makes live experiences so transformative: connection, community, and the memo...

Episode Notes Host Tonny St. James sits down with artist, organizer, and consultant Amanda Nicholson to unpack the realities of navigating homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic—and the urgent need to rebuild systems with dignity at the center. Amanda shares her journey from couch surfing in high school to surviving homelessness in San Diego and Los Angeles, and how those lived experiences fuel...

YP2F: The New Deal to End Youth Homelessness — with Josh Kogan & Aurora Higgs Episode Notes Tonny sits down with Josh Kogan (Director of Public Policy) and Aurora Higgs (Associate Director of Communications) from Away Home America to talk about their New Deal to End Youth Homelessness —a bold, nationwide policy roadmap built by and for young people with lived experience. Together, they break down...

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Iziaih Choquette On Youth Power, Systems Change, and Building a Future Beyond Survival In this energizing conversation, host Tonny St. James is joined by advocate, consultant, and community leader Iziaih Choquette (they/them) to kick off Season 3 of Young People at the Front (YP2F) . Iziaih shares their journey from navigating youth homelessness in the Midwest to becoming a statewide and national...

Everyone favorite youth homeless policy podcast is back! Hosts Tonny St. James, Robin Petering, and Fatine Ait Haddou return to the studio to launch Season 3 of Young People to the Front. In this trailer, the team reflects on past seasons, new upgrades, and the mission ahead: amplifying youth voices, lifting up advocates in Los Angeles and beyond, and highlighting the stories behind their zines an...

In this emotional and unflinchingly honest episode of YP2F, host Tonny St. James welcomes writer, filmmaker, and journalist Loe Renee for a conversation about what it means to survive—and thrive—after the foster care system. From early experiences in group homes to a professional journey through film, journalism, and advocacy, Loe shares their story with striking vulnerability and clarity. Togethe...

In this latest episode of YP2F, hosts Tonny and Robin sit down with Dr. Seth Pickens; a pastor, researcher, and Managing Director of the Homelessness Policy Research Institute (HPRI) at USC and explore the powerful intersection of spirituality, data, and homelessness policy.  From his journey in ministry to launching trauma-informed, human-centered pilot programs for housing-insecure youth, Dr. Pi...

In this episode of Young People to the Front , Tonny, Robin and Fatine are joined by Christian Quijano and Chino Quinlan to discuss their shared work in youth homelessness advocacy and how their friendship and professional collaboration evolved from a West Coast convening event. Christian, Associate Director at My Friend’s Place, and Chino, a youth advocate with lived experience working at Safe Pl...

In this episode of Young People to the Front , the hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine welcome guest Ashley Bennett, Director of Homelessness at the Los Angeles City Controller’s Office. The conversation explores Ashley’s personal journey from experiencing homelessness as a youth to becoming a community organizer and later transitioning into government work. She discusses her work with Ground Game LA ,...

On this week's episode, Tonny sits down with Will Sens Jr. from the Echo Park Research Collective. The two discuss his non-traditional route to becoming part of a research project. Will shares his journey from being a resident of Echo Park Lake to participating in a research project alongside UCLA students. They explore the power of community and belonging, and the importance of surrounding yourse...

In this episode of Young People at the Front , hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine welcome Emmett Liljegren, President of Trojan Shelter, a student-led organization at USC dedicated to providing housing for college students experiencing homelessness. Emmett shares his journey from volunteer to president, the challenges of running a student-run shelter, and the often-overlooked issue of student homelessn...

In this episode of Young People to the Front , hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine welcome Ben Kay, a dedicated leader in Los Angeles’ homeless services sector and co-creator of the Homeland Podcast.  Ben shares his personal journey from moving to LA for graduate school to volunteering on Skid Row just two days after arriving — a transformative experience that sparked his lifelong commitment to addressi...

In this episode of Young People of the Front , hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine talk with Tai Jones, an Intensive Supporting Senior Case Manager at The People Concern in SPA 5 and entertainer who has performed on prestigious stages like The Wiltern Theatre and in major studios, including ABC. Dedicated to uplifting young people and addressing homelessness prevention, Tai shares her journey from a chi...

In this episode of Young People to the Front , hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine sit down with Alexis Obinna, a dedicated community advocate, social worker, and consultant.  Alexis shares her powerful journey from an affluent upbringing to the foster care system, and how her lived experiences shaped her commitment to social justice. She discusses the challenges of navigating higher education while exp...

In this episode of Young People to the Front , Tonny, Robin and Fatine sit down with members of Water Drop LA to explore their work addressing water access issues in Skid Row and beyond. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic, Water Drop has grown into a critical lifeline, distributing over 2,000 gallons of water weekly to unhoused residents.  This week’s guests, including USC researchers Erik and Jo...

In this episode of the Young People to the Front, hosts Tonny, Robin and Fatine reflect on recent milestones, including the success of Measure A in Los Angeles County, which secures $1.2 billion in funding for homelessness initiatives. The team discusses their participation in the West Coast Convening, a collaborative effort among service providers addressing youth homelessness across Pacific Stan...

In this powerful episode of Young People to the Front , we sit down with Madin Lopez, founder and executive director of Project Q, a nonprofit focused on empowering queer and trans youth of color through haircuts and community support. Madin shares their journey from navigating the foster care system and the challenges of homelessness to creating an organization that combines self-expression with...