Capturing the Voice and Experiences of Unhoused Youth Through a Participatory Action Research Study
Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Organization Development & Change (D.O.D.C.)
Department
Organization Development
First Advisor
Jeanelle Sears (Committee Chair)
Second Advisor
HeeSoon Lee (Other)
Third Advisor
Deborah O'Neil (Committee Member)
Fourth Advisor
Michael Zickar (Committee Member)
Abstract
In our community of Toledo, Ohio, we have a youth homelessness issue. There has not been an intentional effort here in Toledo to work collaboratively with unhoused youth to build a more effective support system for those youth experiencing homelessness. When youth are included in this work, there is greater participation, increased response rates and insight into service design and delivery. This study aimed to address the following research questions: how unhoused youth in Toledo, Ohio, perceive and experience the strengths and weaknesses of the services available to them and how their insights can contribute to the development of a more effective and inclusive support system. For this study, a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach was used. This methodology allowed for collaboration with unhoused youth to achieve the second aim of this study, which is to understand the experiences of youth who serve as co-facilitators in this process, with a focus on how their involvement influences their sense of empowerment and agency.
Recommended Citation
Baker, Heather S., "Capturing the Voice and Experiences of Unhoused Youth Through a Participatory Action Research Study" (2025). Organization Development & Change D.O.D.C. Dissertations. 50.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/odc_diss/50