On The Way Home

On The Way Home

By On The Way HomeSociety & CultureHealth & FitnessMental HealthGovernmentPersonal Journals
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On The Way Home episodes

  • Scaling Housing Impact with Ala’a Shadid
    What does it take to lead through complexity without losing sight of long-term change? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy speaks with Ala’a Shadid, Executive Director of the Multifaith Housing Initiative, about navigating the tension between day-to-day operations and building toward systems transformation. Ala’a reflects on his journey into housing and the realities of leadership in a sector often stuck in reactive mode, challenging us to “stop normalizing crisis” and move toward more sustainable, proactive approaches. He shares insights on partnerships, governance, and responsible growth, offering a thoughtful perspective on how organizations can scale their impact without losing their mission in an increasingly complex housing landscape.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  • Aging with Dignity: Community, Care, and Connection with Tom Hunter
    Supporting more than 15,000 seniors across 83 buildings, Tom Hunter is leading one of Canada’s largest seniors housing portfolios at a time of growing complexity. In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with the CEO of the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation about what it takes to help seniors age in place with dignity and stability. Tom reflects on his journey into the role, the importance of community-building initiatives like Community Connect+, and how partnerships with Ontario Health are integrating care and housing. The conversation also explores safety solutions and concerns, system pressures like Landlord and Tenant Board delays, and what the future of seniors housing needs to look like to truly support connection and well-being.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  • Supportive Housing as Community Infrastructure: A Conversation with Victor Willis
    In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Victor Willis, Lead of the Toronto Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing Network, about the critical role supportive housing plays in strengthening communities and addressing gaps in housing and our communities. Drawing on more than 30 years in community development, Victor explains what supportive housing is, why it exists, and how collaboration between nonprofits, municipalities, and land trusts can create lasting affordability and community control. He reflects on expanding PARC’s housing portfolio in partnership with the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, the role of social purpose real estate in poverty reduction, and the broader societal benefits of investing in supportive housing across Toronto and beyond.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  • Strengthening Supports and Futures: A Conversation with Jen Crowe
    In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Jen Crowe, Executive Director of Choices for Youth, about the evolving landscape of youth homelessness in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. Jen shares insights into the unique realities facing young people in both urban and rural communities, explains how a systems-focused and equity-driven approach can address root causes rather than just crisis, and outlines the impact of the Family and Natural Supports model in preventing homelessness. She also discusses innovative housing strategies, including a portfolio-based approach to affordable housing, and the launch of Becket Integrated Youth Services, a province-wide initiative transforming how young people access mental health and social supports. Drawing on both local and national perspectives, Jen highlights the policy shifts needed to truly end youth homelessness and what gives her hope for the future

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  • Reconciliation in Practice: A Conversation with Deliah Bernard
    In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Deliah Bernard, Partner at Root Strategies, about what meaningful reconciliation looks like in practice and how relationships, leadership, and listening shape lasting change. Drawing on her experience working alongside Indigenous communities and advising on major national initiatives, including serving as Senior Indigenous Affairs Advisor in the Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Deliah shares reflections on centering Indigenous voices in decision-making, building trust across sectors, and understanding housing as connected to dignity, culture, and self-determination. She discusses lessons learned from moments of crisis and healing, practices that help sustain respectful collaboration, and the changes she hopes to see in the coming decade as Indigenous communities continue to lead and shape their own futures.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  • Where Mental Health, Housing, and Hope Meet: A Conversation with Alyse Bernbaum

    In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Alyse Bernbaum, Executive Director of the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation, about the deep connection between youth mental health and youth homelessness, and the role early intervention and wraparound care play in changing life trajectories. Alyse shares her journey into this work, reflects on how these challenges show up in young people’s daily lives, and discusses how meaningful partnership and programs like Blue Door’s Construct help build confidence, stability, and a sense of purpose beyond employment. She explores what is truly moving the needle in the sector, where young people continue to fall through the cracks, the Foundation's focus and what kind of change is needed so more communities can create pathways to stability, belonging, and hope.


    Explore the Construct Canada Portal, flexible online learning designed to support and enhance your programming. Visit www.constructgta.ca to learn more and book a demo.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  • Learning from Global Models: Homelessness Trends and Study Tours with Nick Falvo

    What could Canada learn if we looked beyond our own borders at how other countries are tackling homelessness? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with leading housing researcher Nick Falvo about why global learning can be a powerful tool for local change. Drawing on his work across Canada and internationally, Nick shares what’s shifting in homelessness policy and where we may still be getting it wrong. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming 2027 study tour to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, including what participants will experience, why these cities were chosen, and how insights from the tour can be applied back home. With registration opening May 1, 2026, the conversation explores who these opportunities are for, what makes them valuable, and how knowledge-sharing can extend far beyond those who attend.


    Explore the Construct Canada Portal, flexible online learning designed to support and enhance your programming. Visit www.constructgta.ca to learn more and book a demo.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  • Housing as Healthcare: A Conversation with David Fry

    In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with David Fry, CEO of LOFT Community Services, about leading supportive housing at a time when housing and healthcare systems are increasingly intertwined. Drawing on his background in home and community care leadership, David shares how his experience has shaped his view of housing as a critical part of the care continuum. He discusses his early vision for LOFT, the importance of partnerships between healthcare, housing, and community services, and the biggest gaps facing people with complex health and mental health needs in Ontario today. The conversation explores opportunities for system transformation, the dreams driving his leadership, and the bold moves needed to shift the trajectory of the housing crisis while improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.


    Explore the Construct Canada Portal, flexible online learning designed to support and enhance your programming. Visit www.constructgta.ca to learn more and book a demo.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  • Three Decades on the Frontlines: Sheldon Polett on Canada’s Housing Crisis
    In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Sheldon Polett, Executive Director of Raising the Roof, about how Canada’s housing and homelessness crisis has evolved over more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership. Sheldon reflects on what feels fundamentally different about today’s moment, what he is seeing across communities nationwide, and how organizations like Raising the Roof are responding through innovative and urgent initiatives. Drawing on his experience in youth homelessness and national coalition-building, he discusses where systems are still failing young people, what we are getting right, and where improvement is needed, as well as the importance of collaboration and sustaining the people doing this work. The conversation closes with practical ways individuals, businesses, and policymakers can help make a meaningful difference right now.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  • Reimagining Cities for Youth: Co-Living, Data, and the Future of Housing with Robert Barnard

    In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Robert Barnard, CEO of Toboggan Flats, about rethinking how cities support young people through innovative housing and data-driven design. Drawing on experience in advancing youth-friendly cities, Robert shares why vacant office buildings present a unique opportunity to create affordable co-living housing, what barriers are slowing adaptive reuse, and how we can work to better understand youth experiences. He explores how housing for young adults must go beyond affordability to include community, belonging, and mental well-being, and offers insights for young people seeking to reclaim space and influence the future of the cities they call home.


    Explore the Construct Canada Portal, flexible online learning designed to support and enhance your programming. Visit www.constructgta.ca to learn more and book a demo.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

About On The Way Home

From the publisher's feed

On the Way Home is a podcast that brings together the voices and issues involved in ending homelessness in Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See