In this episode of Young People to the Front, Tonny, Robin and Fatine are joined by Christian Quijano and Chino Quinlan to discuss their shared work in youth homelessness advocacy and how their friendship and professional collaboration evolved from a West Coast convening event. Christian, Associate Director at My Friend’s Place, and Chino, a youth advocate with lived experience working at Safe Place for Youth and the LA LGBT Center, reflect on the intersection of data, storytelling, and personal history. 

They explore the complexities of transitioning from receiving services to providing them, navigating professional relationships formed through shared experience, and the essential role of belonging and community in healing and empowerment. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of youth voice in program design, the challenges of burnout, and how success and validation are defined differently depending on background and culture.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Navigating professional relationships between former service recipients and providers
• Youth-led advocacy and the Young Adult Steering Council (YASC)
• Nonlinear paths to success and redefining metrics of achievement
• The role of belonging and community in healing and program engagement
• Provider responsibility, burnout, and the importance of representation in service organizations

Connect with My Friend’s Place:

https://www.myfriendsplace.org/

https://www.instagram.com/myfriendsplace/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-friend's-place