In this episode, host Tonny St. James sits down with Simone Tureck Lee (Director of Housing and Economic Mobility) and Brandon Torres (Project Manager) from John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) to discuss their groundbreaking report "Investing in Impact: How State Investment Reduced Youth Homelessness in California." The conversation reveals a remarkable success story: between 2019 and 2024, youth homelessness in California declined by 24% while overall homelessness increased by 24%. This achievement is directly tied to California's Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program and its youth set-aside policy requiring 10% of funding go to serving young people. But this progress is now at risk. For the first time since 2019, HHAP is absent from the 2025-26 state budget, threatening to reverse years of gains and leave over 50,000 young people without critical support. Combined with federal cuts under the Trump administration, California's youth homelessness response system faces an unprecedented crisis. This episode breaks down what HHAP is, how it works, why the youth set-aside policy matters, and what listeners can do to advocate for sustained funding.

It's official. We've launched our nonprofit, Young People in Front Headquarters, or YP2F HQ. Join Tonny and our very special guest this episode, Dr. Robin Petering, to discuss our new nonprofit. They also answer questions what does a third space mean? What is the history of Robin's thoughts and engagement around space for young people? How did we get here? And where we're going next with this effort.

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 and community work. Expect fresh conversations, fun banter, and a season packed with impact.

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 yourself with people who genuinely support you rather than those who exploit your expertise. Discover firsthand experiences of participating in community-based research, how data collection becomes an act of empowerment, and ways to revolutionize the research field through meaningful youth engagement.

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 homelessness at prestigious universities.

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.

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 childhood immersed in the arts to a career in social services, inspired by her mother’s nonprofit work.

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.