Blog series: Seeing what’s hidden — Part 5
By Tricia Wright
executive director
What you can do — building a community that sees the invisible
Youth homelessness can feel overwhelming, but it’s not hopeless. Everyone has a role to play.
Here are three ways you can make a difference right now:
Learn and share. Start conversations about what youth homelessness really looks like. Share these stories — visibility changes minds.
Engage locally. Volunteer with organizations like Onward, donate supplies, or connect your professional skills to support young adults transitioning to stability.
Advocate. Support policies that expand youth housing options and remove barriers to education and employment.
The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Conference reminded us that addressing homelessness takes collective effort. It’s not one system’s job — it’s all of ours.
At Onward, we’ll keep doing our part: offering housing, connection, and hope for young people on the path toward independence.
Together, we can make the invisible visible — and ensure every young person in Minnesota has a place to call home.
This reflection is part of Onward’s five-part series, “Seeing what’s hidden—youth homelessness in Minnesota,” drawing from insights shared at the 2025 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Conference. Continue reading to explore how communities across Minnesota can see what’s hidden — and help young people find safety, stability, and belonging.
Read more from the series:
Part 1: The invisible crisis | Part 2: Creating safe spaces | Part 3: Survival is a full-time job | Part 4: The power of belonging
