Young People to the Front

• Announcing Young People To The Front Headquarters! with Director Dr. Robin Petering.

  Learn more at yp2f.org/hqFollow Robin on LinkedIn!

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• Redefining Youth Homelessness: Iziaih on Building Systems That Actually Work

  Iziaih ChoquetteOn Youth Power, Systems Change, and Building a Future Beyond SurvivalIn 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 voice for systemic change. With humor, candor, and unapologetic fire, they reflect on what it means to be “booked and blessed,” the struggles of tokenization, and how young people are reshaping advocacy from boardrooms to the White House.From astrology to activism, this episode highlights Isaiah’s multi-hyphenate path: consultant, organizer, researcher, and relentless truth-teller. Together, Tonny and Iziaih unpack adultism, radical imagination, and the ongoing fight to create systems rooted not in crisis response but in dignity, equity, and care.Topics Discussed in this EpisodeGrowing up in Nebraska and finding voice through advocacyWhy many young people never envision life past 21—and why that mattersEntering advocacy through housing instability and systemic barriersAdultism, tokenization, and how young people are leading real changeThe importance of redefining youth homelessness and prevention systemsLessons from Vienna’s social housing model and international approachesBalancing purpose, mental health, and community in advocacy workRadical good vs. radical hate: imagining new futuresConnect with Iziaih Choquette:LinkedIn: Iziaih ChoquetteCalifornia Homeless Youth ProjectInstagram: @Iziaih 

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• Your Favorite Youth Homelessness Podcast is back!

  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.

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• From Foster Care System to Storytelling - A Conversation on Youth Homelessness and Systemic Change with Loe

  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. Together, they unpack what it means to be a “shadow youth,” the unspoken gaps in the system, and how reclaiming childhood joy—through bouncy balls, Connect Four, and creativity—can be a radical act of healing.This episode is a testament to the power of listening, the complexity of systemic inequity, and the dignity every young person deserves.Topics Discussed in this Episode:What it means to be a "shadow youth" and why so many foster youth remain invisibleNavigating group homes, legal ID numbers, and early adult responsibilitiesWhy trauma-informed care must be more than a buzzwordTransitioning from survival to expression through film and journalismThe systemic failure of programs that aren’t led by or informed by lived experienceEmbracing joy, play, and community as survival toolsReimagining youth care: dignity, trust, and real support over performative fixesConnect with Loe Renee:Published Work: The Imprint – Loe ReneeInstagram: Coming soonYouTube (Launching Soon): Late Night Loe

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• Dr. Seth Pickens Talks the Importance of Building People, Not Just Buildings

  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. Pickens unpacks why building people up is just as vital as building housing. The conversation dives into systemic gaps, the role of equity in research, and how personal empowerment can change the narrative around homelessness in LA and beyond.Topics Discussed in this Episode:Dr. Seth Pickens’ personal and professional journey from ministry to research leadership at USCHow trauma-informed, goal-oriented programs can lead to sustainable housing outcomesThe balance between spiritual truth and empirical data in solving complex social issuesYouth homelessness prevention through early education, community care, and empowermentBridging cultural gaps in faith-based and secular spaces to drive systemic changeConnect with Dr. Seth Pickens and the Homeless Policy Research Institute (HPRI):https://www.instagram.com/drsethpickens/hpri.usc.edu

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