Authentic Youth Engagement
A Place 4 Me follows the mantra “nothing about me without me,” ensuring young adult voices and experiences guide our mission to prevent youth homelessness.
The mantra “nothing about us, without us” emphasizes the importance of including those with lived experience in decision-making processes.
The phrase comes from the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and their body of work on authentic youth engagement. No solution will be effective if it is not developed in partnership with those with lived experience. Co-creation and power-sharing are essential tools as we work together to end youth homelessness.