Searching for Solutions
As the former mayor of a mid-size Canadian city, I witnessed firsthand the growing social challenges facing communities across North America. Searching for Solutions explores urgent issues like the housing crisis, homelessness, mental health, addiction, and food insecurity and, more importantly, the disruptive ideas that are making a real difference.
Each episode features a guest who helps unpack a problem and points toward practical, proven solutions.
This podcast is for anyone who cares about their community and wants to move from frustration to action at a time when too many people feel powerless to create change.
Searching for Solutions
Focusing on diversion to tackle youth homelessness
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According to Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey, 20% of the homeless population in Canada is comprised of youth between the ages of 13-24. In a given year, there are at least 35,000-40,000 youth experiencing homelessness. Finding ways to keep youth from entering homelessness needs to be a priority for communities.
This episode of Searching for Solutions features an insightful conversation with Mike Lethby, Executive Director of RAFT, an innovative youth resource outreach and homeless shelter for teens in Niagara. The keys to reducing youth homelessness start with support and diversion and Mike travels across Canada showcasing how RAFT shifted its approaches to youth homelessness leading to significant reductions in youth experiencing homelessness in Niagara.