On March 13, Tedd Peso, Director of Strategic Partnerships at The Night Ministry, traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent Illinois as State Captain at the National Network for Youth’s National Summit on Youth Homelessness & Hill Day. Joined by fellow homelessness service providers, including Ignite, The Harbour, the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, and young leaders from the Chicago/Suburban Cook County Youth Advisory Board, Peso helped elevate the voices of young people facing housing instability across the state.

Throughout the summit, Peso drew on stories from The Night Ministry’s housing programs and case management services, which support youth navigating the challenges of homelessness with compassion, stability, and long-term guidance. He shared examples of how outreach workers and case managers walk alongside young people as they secure safe shelter, pursue education, and work toward brighter futures.

“Our youth are resilient, but resilience shouldn’t be a requirement for survival,” said Peso. “Every young person deserves a stable home, supportive relationships, and the chance to thrive. At The Night Ministry, we see what becomes possible when those basic needs are met, and it’s our responsibility to ensure policymakers see it too.”

The Illinois delegation met with staff from the offices of Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Congressman Danny K. Davis to advocate for increased federal support for programs serving youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. By sharing firsthand experiences and statewide progress, they emphasized that investments in youth housing and wraparound services build stronger, healthier communities.