Posts By: Sondra Lehmann

For the past three years, TNOYS has worked closely with the Office of the Texas Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking Team to build Texas’ capacity to provide high-quality services for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CSEY) survivors. In our work across the state, the TNOYS team has provided training and technical assistance to youth-serving providers and… Read more »

With the start of our new fiscal year, TNOYS looks forward to new collaborations alongside our network of over 100 organizations and individual advocates. We are proud to represent and collaborate with a range of organizations working in every Texas region across TNOYS’ seven system areas: child welfare, housing and homelessness services, victim and survivor… Read more »

TNOYS has launched its first-ever AmeriCorps program aimed at scaling youth-adult partnerships with young people with lived experiences within the seven social service systems that TNOYS works in which include homelessness, foster care, juvenile justice, mental health, education, workforce, and victim services. The program will provide young adults with lived expertise with professional development and… Read more »

During the first week of August, TNOYS once again partnered with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to host the Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program Summit, which convened more than 1,000 youth-serving professionals from across Texas. Guided by the theme The Road to Impact, the summit’s 42 workshops and three dynamic keynote… Read more »

TNOYS’ work is guided by youth-adult partnership, which is a shift in thinking that challenges us to look at youth differently and include their voices and input into plans, strategies, and services to support them. In celebration of Foster Care Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reflecting on our partnerships with young people… Read more »

One of the things that makes TNOYS’ annual conference unique is that both youth and professionals are welcome to attend, putting the power of youth-adult partnership into action.  From workshops led by members of our Youth Adult Leadership Council (YALC) to virtual hangout rooms during the lunch breaks, this year’s event features many opportunities for… Read more »

TNOYS’ Youth Adult Leadership Council (YALC) is a nine-month leadership development program for youth and young adults between the ages of 16 to 25 who have experience with foster care, homelessness, and systems-involvement, and who have a demonstrated interest in or potential for leadership or advocacy. TNOYS recently spoke with Exzaniel Ocon, a 20-year-old YALC… Read more »

TNOYS’ Annual Conference is right around the corner, and our team is looking forward to all the fun and learning that’s in store! Guided by the theme Rooted in Power, this year’s conference spotlights equity and inclusion and youth-adult partnership throughout our 50+ workshops and sessions. Our team is excited for sessions such as the… Read more »

TNOYS has long held the belief that youth-adult partnership in policy advocacy is an equity issue. For policies and laws that concern youth and young adults to create meaningful change, it is imperative to center their voices and amplify their expertise.  Our team has put this value into action by partnering with youth and young… Read more »

By Brenda Woolley Brenda Woolley is a member of TNOYS’ Young Adult Leadership Council (YALC). The YALC is a 9-month training program that empowers youth who have experienced homelessness or systems involvement to be advocates and storytellers in their community. During the 87th Texas Legislative Session, Brenda testified before the Human Services Committee on behalf… Read more »