it’s everybody’s business · it’s everybody’s business: engaging the private sector in...

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

amanda@raisingtheroof.org

Download full report/summary report/agency toolkit/employer toolkit at:

www.raisingtheroof.org