It’s Everybody’s Business: Engaging the Private Sector in Solutions to Youth Homelessness Amanda Noble, MSW, PhD Cand. Raising the Roof
It’s Everybody’s Business: Engaging the Private Sector in Solutions to
Youth Homelessness
Amanda Noble, MSW, PhD Cand.
Raising the Roof
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Youth Homelessness: A Catch-22
If you don’t have a job, then how will you pay rent? And if you don’t have a place to live – a place to get a good night’s sleep, shower, make some breakfast, wash your clothes and store your stuff – then how will you manage to show up for work every day?
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It’s Everybody’s Business: Engaging the Private Sector in Solutions to Youth Homelessness
Full Report & Summary Report
(released Nov. 2012)
www.raisingtheroof/toolkit
www.raisingtheroof.org/toolkit
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What Do We Mean By “Engaging the Private Sector?”
Donations
Advocacy
Mentorship
Training & Employment Opportunities
BUT…Some Caveats
Only PART of strategy
Housing first!!!
Still need government
Education
Homelessness is Everybody’s Business
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Methodology
Partnered with 8 community agencies across Canada
On-site visits – interviews with agency staff (31), their private sector partners (31), participating youth (63) (n=125)
Roundtable discussion
Report Contents
Structural & individual barriers to employment
Profile of 8 employment programs
The Private Sector: motivation, experiences, challenges
Agency Staff: challenges, advice
Strategies for engagement & challenges
Youth: benefits, experiences, challenges
Critical Success Factors
Agency Support
Communication
Keeping it Simple
Clear Expectations
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Engaging the Private Sector: Strategies
Get the word out
Relationship building
Choosing a business to approach
Initiating contact
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Strategies
Highlight the Benefits of Participating: Wage subsidies Agency screening and support Access to trained, competent employees Positive public relations Strengthening communities
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Engaging the Private Sector: Challenges
Available resources
Available jobs / competition
Economic context
Making contact
Employer fears / stigma of homeless youth
Burning bridges
THANK YOU!
Amanda Noble
Download full report/summary report/agency toolkit/employer toolkit at:
www.raisingtheroof.org