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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
JUNE 2020 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA 11