At 14, Fonda Royster became unaccompanied, navigating homelessness alone. This presentation shares her lived experience, highlighting the systemic failures that left her without support and the resilience that propelled her forward. Attendees will gain insight into the realities of unaccompanied youth and the interventions needed to break the cycle. Fonda faced survival challenges—unstable housing, food insecurity, and a lack of trusted adults. School became her refuge, but without a stable home, she struggled to meet basic needs. She encountered barriers in accessing services due to age restrictions and a lack of awareness about available resources. Navigating life alone, she experienced exploitation, unsafe living conditions, and systemic neglect. Despite these challenges, she remained determined to find stability. Education became her anchor, and she sought mentorship where possible. These experiences fueled her passion for advocacy, leading her to pursue higher education in social justice and policy. Fonda overcame homelessness through education and strategic support systems. She founded Open Arms Transformation Living to provide resources and housing solutions for unaccompanied homeless youth, ensuring others do not face the same barriers she did. This session empowers professionals to understand the unique needs of unaccompanied homeless youth. Attendees will learn how to create trauma-informed interventions, advocate for policy reform, and implement prevention strategies that provide long-term stability and support.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Fonda Royster is the Founder of Open Arms Transformation Living, CEO of RESA Solutions, and the Domestic Violence Specialist at the Lucas County Juvenile Detention Center. With expertise in unaccompanied homelessness and teen dating violence, she develops evidence-based interventions to support vulnerable youth and advocate for systemic change.