While research on homelessness in Black communities is limited, those who work in the homelessness sector are well aware of the overrepresentation of Black youth among youth who are experiencing homelessness.

To commemorate Black History Month 2024, this episode of the Prevention Matters! panel series examines the understudied crisis that is Black youth homelessness.

Host Nathan Okonta, COH Research Associate on Black homelessness, facilitates a powerful discussion on what youth homelessness prevention looks like in Black communities. He spoke with our panelists Dagma Koyi (Chief Executive Officer, R.E.S.T. Centres) and Clovis Grant (Chief Executive Officer, 360°kids) to dive into this critical issue.

(In a hurry? Check out our RECAP BLOG for a summary!) 

Learn more about our host and panelists below!

---

HOST

NATHAN OKONTA is the COH’s research associate on Black Homelessness, and he brings a wealth of knowledge to this conversation having been a social developer in Toronto for the past 20 years, with a focus developing post-incarceration programs for youth and young adults.

PANELISTS

DAGMA KOYI is a dynamic speaker, impactful teacher, counsellor, and the founder and CEO of R.E.S.T. Centre (Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition).

R.E.S.T. Centre emerged out of a desire for a holistic approach to youth development and enrichment initiatives for street-involved youth. R.E.S.T’s mission is to strategically invest in homeless youth in order to prepare them to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through structured interventions targeting their vulnerabilities; and to transition them on a path towards independence, self-sufficiency and civic engagement.

 

CLOVIS GRANT has provided leadership in the Human Services sector for over 25 years in the areas of homelessness, employment, social assistance, mental health and disabilities. He has worked with HOPE worldwide Canada, The Region of York, Eva’s Initiatives and currently is CEO of 360°kids an organization committed to seeing an end to youth homelessness. Clovis is also a Sessional Instructor in the Community Services Department at Humber College. When not busy at work, he has served as a volunteer in various ways—at his local Church, Community Living Toronto, Autism Speaks, Diamonds Special Needs Hockey, and has supported students with special education needs through his 10 years’ experience on the Special Education Advisory Committee with the Toronto District School Board. Clovis holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts in Leadership from the University of Guelph. Clovis’ wish is to have more time to read..preferably, a good biography.

---

 

This session is part of our Making the Shift collective body of work on youth homelessness.

The Toronto Centre of Excellence (TCE) on Youth Homelessness Prevention at York University is a UN Geneva Charter Centre at York University led in partnership between the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, A Way Home Canada and our Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Innovation Lab.