https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1718-6361
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Abstract
Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) are infrequently included in the development, organization, and provision of homelessness-related services. This lack of youth voice and services tailored for their expressed needs can lead to underutilization of services, dissatisfaction, and poor outcomes. Photovoice, a participatory research method, has been used to empower persons from marginalized populations and to provide a platform for them to share their voices. This photovoice project partnered with six YEH (18-20 years old). Participants worked together, with the support of two group facilitators, to take photographs, identify themes, write narratives that best represented their lived experience, and share their concerns and ideas for the community. Photos and narratives were shared with decisionmakers at community-based showings. Attendees of the showings anecdotally reported having an increased awareness of YEH issues. The showings served as a catalyst in the community to address the challenges of YEH. Recommendations for research and practice are provided.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all participants for their willingness to share their lived experience and for their contributions to this photovoice project.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
Limited data available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions.
Author contributions
All authors were involved in the conception and design of the study and revising critically for intellectual content. Authors Snow-Hill and Asefnia were additionally involved in the analysis and interpretation of the data and the drafting of the paper. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.