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builds on the work of our Demonstration Lab — all

                                                                of this with the goal of achieving the best possible

                                                                outcomes for young people and their families.



                                                                While AWHC and the COH are doing our part,
                                                                communities are also mobilizing for change. We see

                                                                examples from across the country of individuals,

                                                                organizations, and local governments doing
                                                                the very difficult work of integrating prevention

                                                                strategies into their homelessness response. Our
                                                                role as researchers and advocates is to support

                                                                these communities by showcasing what works,

                                                                both nationally and internationally, building new
                                                                evidence where there are gaps, and using our

                                                                resources to support communities through training

                                                                and technical assistance and robust peer-to-peer
                                                                learning opportunities.




                                                                We can all agree that the streets of our cities would
                                                                be better if people weren’t forced to live on them —

                                                                better for business and better for the community
                                                                writ large. If we want to end homelessness,

                                                                why don’t we start with preventing people from

                                                                becoming homeless in the first place? Business
                                                                leaders across Canada can play an important role

                                                                in the advocacy necessary for orders of government
                                                                to make this a priority, but business leaders

                                                                can also get involved at the local level to enable

                                                                solutions. Joining the movement to prevent and
        Research Tri-Council invested an initial $17.9 million
                                                                end homelessness is an excellent focus as well for
        in our Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Social
                                                                corporate social responsibility strategies. Together,
        Innovation Lab (a Network of Centers of Excellence)
                                                                we can end homelessness — if we want to.
        in order to allow us to conduct and mobilize
        additional quality research specific to youth
                                                                            Learn More: http://makingtheshiftinc.ca
        homelessness prevention and sustained exits that


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