Speak Up! – Amplifying Voices of Lived Experience
Speak Up! is a healing-centered storytelling and advocacy program for people with lived experience of homelessness. Through workshops, creative expression, and one-on-one coaching, participants explore their experiences, build community, develop leadership skills, and prepare to advocate for solutions that help people thrive in housing.
What is Speak Up!
Speak Up! is designed for people with lived experience of homelessness. Whether participants arrive ready to share their experiences or are still finding their voice, the program provides space for connection, creative expression, personal growth, and advocacy.
About the Program
Blending expert-led workshops with individual coaching, Speak Up! helps participants strengthen storytelling, advocacy, public speaking, and leadership skills. The program uses a healing-centered approach that recognizes the impact of homelessness, trauma, and recovery while creating opportunities for self-expression, community connection, and personal growth.
Participants engage in storytelling not simply to share what happened to them, but to explore how their experiences and expertise can contribute to stronger communities and more effective homelessness responses.
Get Involved with Speak Up!
Become a Story Coach or Mentor
We are looking for storytellers in the creative space, including writers, actors, poets, artists or anyone with experience in advocacy, coaching, and public speaking to join our cohort alongside participant advocates. Coaches and mentors offer support, storytelling guidance, and community
throughout the program.
Become a Speak Up! Advocate
Advocates have lived experience of homelessness and a desire to explore how to craft their stories as part of their advocacy. Advocates are not required to have prior advocacy or storytelling experience, but they should be currently housed, connected to a service provider support team, and able to commit at least 10 hours a month to regular in-person workshops. Complete the form below if you are interested in becoming a Speak Up! advocate, or if you are inquiring on behalf of your supportive housing organization.
Support a Speak Up! Program
Our Speak Up! Program is made possible through philanthropic support. When you support Speak Up!, you join advocates in their journey to become community leaders and create change. Your donation goes directly to supporting Speak Up! advocacy initiatives. To support Speak Up!, please complete the form below and indicate Speak Up! as the program you would like to support.