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Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States.
Youth Stories for Change is a collaborative effort between Chicago housing nonprofits and advocates for ending youth homelessness. We use storytelling to combat misconceptions about youth homelessness and to raise awareness about the unique causes and consequences of this serious and often overlooked issue.
We believe that storytelling is a powerful tool to build empathy, and that building empathy is a critical first step towards ending youth homelessness in Chicago and beyond.

Meet Chicago Youth

Meet the Youth
Edwin in Drag Portrait

Edwin

Aspiring Cosmetologist

Lanisha Portrait

Lanisha

Aspiring Restauranteur

Persie Portrait

Persie

Aspiring Artist

Denishe Portrait

Denishe

Aspiring Model & Entrepreneur

An Excerpt from Dear Chicago 
Members of Youth 4 Truth, The Night Ministry's leadership development program for young adults, have written an open letter to Chicago about how our city inspires them and what they would change about it.

You have to choose what kind of person you want to be in Chicago, and we choose to love and fight for what our city needs, such as more affordable housing for young people trying to start their lives; mental health for youth and health education in schools; recreation centers for kids to keep them off the street; and a stop to drug use on the streets.

We want to leave you with this quote from Bahāʾ Allāh, the founder of the Bahāʾī Faith, because we feel it speaks to all of us in our city:

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth." 

LEARN MORE

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Combat misconceptions about youth homelessness.

Take Action

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Be a part of the solution to youth homelessness.

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