Wulff, DanHuntingford, Stasha2017-06-132017-06-1320172017Huntingford, S. (2017). "Kicking Down Doors" and "Turning Over Stones": Front-line Youth Workers Engaging in Policy Analysis as an Active Advocacy Process (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26700http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3885In this research, front-line youth workers analyzed policy pertaining to youth homelessness. This analysis catalyzed further reflections and actions informed by what we learned in the research, such as the establishment of the School of Social Play. The research process was composed of the following phases: the Preparing the Ground phase, the Immersion phase, as well as the Reflection and Action phases. Focus groups and participant observation were some of the methods used to answer research questions during these phases. One participant in this research identified as a co-researcher at a one-year follow up after the research concluded. This person engaged in a reflective dialogue with me about the research, which is included in the discussion chapter. Workers identified four key principles that would contribute to ending youth homelessness. The first principle concerns the relationship between stigma and homelessness. The second principle emphasizes the importance of relationships, and the third focuses on harms caused by the charity model. The final principle states that services and policies should be directed by youth, as they are the people best able to define what the problem is. In the discussion, I justify my conclusion that youth have much to teach us about challenging authority, critical thinking, and the pursuit of social justice.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Education--Social SciencesSocial WorkPublic and Social WelfareFront-line workersPolicyYouth HomelessnessParticipatory Action Researchdoctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/26700