A Walk in Their Shoes
A Walk In Their Shoes is an immersive, community-centered awareness event hosted by Casa Youth Shelter’s Youth Leadership Program (YLP) in partnership with community organizations and Casa’s Clinical Team. Designed in recognition of National Runaway Prevention Month (HOPE Month), the event invites participants to step into the realities faced by youth experiencing homelessness, family conflict, housing instability, and crisis through interactive exhibits, storytelling, and guided reflection.
Throughout the experience, attendees move through a series of living exhibits that portray real-life situations youth may encounter, including couch surfing, living on the streets, family vehicle living, seeking help, tent city experiences, and unsafe home environments. Youth actors, spoken word performances, and community partners help bring these stories to life while encouraging deeper empathy and understanding while receiving resources for support and services.
In addition to the exhibits, guests participate in a variety of interactive learning stations, including a wellness station, hygiene kit activity, QR trivia challenge, resource marketplace, community art projects, and reflection opportunities such as the HOME and HOPE walls. These activities provide education about youth homelessness while highlighting available supports, prevention strategies, and ways community members can become involved.
A key component of the event is the Clinical Debrief Experience, where Casa’s Clinical Team facilitates conversations that allow attendees to process what they have learned, discuss misconceptions, explore barriers youth face, and identify actionable ways to support vulnerable young people.
The day concludes with community reflection, recognition of partners and youth leaders, and a call to action that encourages attendees to become advocates, volunteers, donors, and informed supporters of youth experiencing crisis. The ultimate goal is for every participant to leave with a greater understanding of the realities facing runaway and homeless youth, awareness of resources available and a renewed commitment to ensuring every young person has access to safety, support, and hope.