Walter Harris and Emma Grimm join us to shed light on their poignant journeys through homelessness. Through bouts with the juvenile justice system, foster care, and relentless searches for stable housing, their stories are powerful testimonies of how these experiences fueled their passion for youth homelessness advocacy, restorative justice and mentorship. Join us for these compelling conversations and discover how advocacy and community support can truly transform lives.

Read the transcript (PDF).

Meet Our Guests

Emma Grimm (she/her/they/them) is a passionate advocate and student. They serve as co-chair of the Western PA Youth Action Board, Advocates4Change. Through this position, Emma has been able to bring the perspective of a former foster youth to the homeless response system, advocating for youth transitioning out of care. Emma believes in centering the voices of those with lived experience, acknowledging that they are the experts in solutions and systems that have shaped their lives. She regularly participates in speaking engagements, sharing insights on improving youth-serving systems and organizations, strengthening youth-adult partnerships, and elevating the voices of individuals with lived experiences. Emma ultimately leads with her own lived experience to empower and expand opportunities for youth.

Through her work with the YAB, Emma was connected to Westmoreland Community Action where she has been working as the Regional Youth Systems Navigator. In this position, she is responsible for helping homeless youth throughout the 20 county region of Western PA gain access to the resources necessary to obtain housing. She works to make connections across different systems within the region in order to adequately serve the youth. Emma will be graduating in the fall from the University of Valley Forge with a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies and is hoping to continue in her pursuits of advocacy work full-time, but on a larger scale.

Walter Harris lives on the Southside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a returning
citizen after serving 130 months in federal prison. He has been home for 40 months on June 25, 2024. Since returning home, he has been volunteering for many community organizations: he belongs to the Elsinore Bennu Think Tank for Restorative Justice(EBTT), sponsored by Duquesne University and sits on the planning committee for Voices for Juvenile Justice, which is an EBTT Initiative. He is a volunteer and founding member for Western PA's Participatory Defense Hub, in partnership with Abolition Law Center. He is on the Leadership Board for Allegheny County Anchored Reentry Coalition (ACAR), and also co-chair the Basic Needs Committee. He sits on the Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Committee for Western PA's CoC ( Continuance of Care) and on the Reentry Committed and Homeless Advisory Board (HAB) for the same. He is a certified mentor/site leader for Father's on the Move - Pittsburgh and was ordained as a minister in August 2023 by Last Days World Outreach, an affiliate of Assemblies of God Church. HE will be a licensed Chaplain from Christians in the Marketplace ( CIMP )Ministries.

Resources

• Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)
• Sign up for email updates
• "I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast
• Center for Schools and Communities
• Western Pennsy

Maryama's story is one of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Born and raised in Niger, she embarked on a journey to America with her family at the age of 15 to join her father. However, life took an unexpected turn when she found herself homeless at 18 years old, during her senior year at Central Dauphin East High School. Despite the challenges she faced, Maryama refused to let her circumstances define her future. She sought refuge at the YWCA Harrisburg and later discovered the Transitional Living Program at the Valley Youth House Dauphin County Office. This program became a lifeline for Maryama, providing her with stability, support, and the resources she needed to navigate the difficult transition into adulthood. Maryama's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of having a support system in times of need.

Meet Our Guest

Maryama Labrane was born in Niger. At 15, Maryama came to the U.S. and found herself homeless during her senior year at Central Dauphin East High School. She sought refuge at the YWCA Harrisburg and later discovered the Transitional Living Program at the Valley Youth House Dauphin County Office. This program became a lifeline for Maryama, providing her with stability, support, and the resources she needed to navigate the difficult transition into adulthood.

Read the transcript (PDF).

Resources

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)

Sign up for email updates

"I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast

Center for Schools and Communities

Valley Youth House

Since we are still early in 2024, “I Will Be Your Voice” shares a special bonus episode with the staff behind the scenes at the Center for Schools and Communities. In this bonus episode, we chat with our Center for Schools and Communities team who are working on statewide projects for the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness program. Join us as we preview upcoming projects for 2024, areas of focus, what we are excited about, and what you can look forward to in the coming months!

Please review the transcript.

Resources:

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)

Sign up for email updates

"I Will Be Your Voice" Podcast

Center for Schools and Communities

Meet Our Guests

Matt Butensky is youth development project manager at Center for Schools and Communities.

Benjamin Simmons is youth development specialist at Center for Schools and Communities.

Taylor Teichman is youth development coordinator, ECYEH, at Center for Schools and Communities.

Melissa Turnpaugh is youth development coordinator, ARP-HCY, at Center for Schools and Communities.