Dr. M. Alex Wagaman, an assistant professor in Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work, is Richmond’s 2019 Peacemaker of the Year.

In late May, the Richmond Peace Education Center bestowed the honor on Dr. Wagaman, a founding member of Advocates for Richmond Youth, or ARY, an organization working to end youth homelessness in the Greater Richmond community.

ARY was founded in 2014 with an initial group of 10 young people who had personal experience with homelessness and housing instability, Dr. Wagaman recounts. The team found a lack of resources in Richmond to deal with the issues of homelessness and decided to raise visibility and awareness about youth homelessness as well as develop a body of research knowledge to motivate the community to take action.

Based on recommendations from ARY’s research, the organization has undertaken several projects, including a “Drop-In Center,” hosted 4 to 7 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month at Commonwealth Catholic Charities, 511 W. Grace St.; “Know Your Rights in Housing,” a seminar designed to educate young tenants of their housing rights; “Youth Count,” to understand the needs of homeless youths; and “Advocates,” to address affordable housing barriers.

“We know that, nationally, in any given year, 1 in 10 young people ages 18 to 25 and 1 in 30 youths ages 13 to 17 experience a period of homelessness,” Dr. Wagaman says. “Given Richmond’s high rate of poverty, limited affordable housing stock and high eviction rate, it is likely that our rates (in Richmond) mirror or surpass these numbers.”

Dr. Wagaman says she never experienced housing instability. Her family moved several times because of her father’s work with the Coca-Cola Company. Dr. Wagaman was born in Mobile, Ala., and grew up in Orlando, Atlanta and New Orleans with the moves.

“I was raised to be connected to my community and care about what was happening, care about other folks and have a strong family bond,” Dr. Wagaman says.

Her first job as a social worker was working with families experiencing homelessness.

“I remember my first families,” she says. “They knew a lot more than I did and they were very gracious in supporting me as I helped them with the issue. That has stuck with me because rarely am I the expert in all things. These people bring a lot to the table and understand how to navigate the world. We just need to make spaces for them to make decisions for their lives. Society needs to provide access to resources instead of believing their homelessness is a result of bad choices.”

Dr. Wagaman says she sees justice and peace inextricably linked.

“When I work with young people who begin to see and believe in their capacity for social change, I have no doubt that it shifts the way that they interact with one another and their communities,” she says. “And I see it, in turn, shift the way that their communities view and interact with them.”

Meet this week’s Personality, community advocate and peacemaker, Dr. M. Alex Wagaman:

Date and place of birth: May 14 in Mobile, Ala.

Current residence: Richmond.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s in social work, Winthrop University, and a master’s and doctorate in social work from Arizona State University.

Family: My wife and I have two children.

Latest honor: Named 2019 Peacemaker of the Year by the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Why the recognition is significant: One of the most significant parts of this recognition for me is who nominated me — the Advocates for Richmond Youth. ARY is a powerful group of young people with whom I have been working for nearly five years as a co-researcher and advocate working to end youth homelessness and housing instability. I feel so honored to be working alongside them. I am grateful to have the opportunity, through this recognition, to raise awareness about our work.

Reason for ARY’s founding: At the time, there was a general belief that youth homelessness did not exist in Richmond. It was important to raise visibility about youth homelessness and to develop a body of research knowledge that could spur folks to take action and that could inform that action. There were key stakeholders in the community, like St. Joseph’s Villa, that wanted to develop programs and services but weren’t sure what youths needed and wanted. They supported us in launching the team and believing in our vision.

Main mission: To use research and advocacy to hold stakeholders in Richmond accountable to working to end youth homelessness and housing instability. Our work is led by those who know the issue best — young people who have been directly impacted by housing instability — and aims to put the voices of youth at the forefront of decision-making about solutions.

Causes of youth and young adult homelessness: The causes are complex and varied. There is no single experience. However, given the fact that youths of color and LGBTQ+ youths are disproportionately represented among this population, we can say that the impact of structural racism, transphobia and homophobia have created systemic barriers to housing stability for many young people. In addition, youths of color and LGBTQ+ youths are disproportionately represented in systems, including the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, that inadequately prepare youths to live independently upon leaving these systems.

What communities can do: Begin by acknowledging that young people are an important investment today. We can take collective responsibility for dismantling racist policies and institutions and building the infrastructure necessary to ensure that all young people have what they need to be safely and stably housed.

What schools can do: Schools can work to reduce the stigma that students experiencing homelessness face and to identify students who may need unique supports to stay in school while being unstably housed. They can also examine policies that may result in pushing students out of school or involving them in the justice system due to truancy or behaviors that are a result of their housing instability. And schools can invest in hiring more social workers.

What businesses can do: Businesses can invest in infrastructure, like affordable housing, in the communities where they are located. Businesses also can reconsider policies that may limit the capacity of young people to get and maintain stable employment, which is essential for maintaining housing. For example, if a young person has a criminal record, is that really something that should immediately disqualify them from potential employment? Businesses also can invest in the things that will build loyalty among their employees, like transportation assistance, flexibility for employees who are parents, etc.

What government can do: We know what we need to do! Fully fund our schools. Pay people a living wage. Pass employment and housing nondiscrimination policies. Build truly affordable housing for those who have the lowest incomes among us. Make safe and accessible emergency shelter available year round. Give communities that have historically been the target of racist housing and zoning policies the resources they need to build wealth and assets. The question is when we will decide to do these things.

Importance of peacemaking: In many ways, peacemaking is creating spaces for folks who have experienced oppression and marginalization to understand their experiences in a broader systemic context and to begin to believe in their own inherent worth and dignity. This often makes folks very angry or sad or frustrated. These feelings are valid and important because they are a reflection of a person’s understanding of the ways that society has been structured to limit their access and opportunities. This is a part of the journey toward peace.

When I knew social work was for me: The first time I took a social work class in undergrad and read the professional values and principles, I felt like I had found a home.

Impact of racial and economic conditions on social problems: I continue to learn about the ways in which white supremacy has shaped the infrastructure of our society. I see it as being intricately interwoven in all of the social problems that we tackle as a social work profession and broader society.

Advice to aspiring social workers: There is a lot more that you can do with a social work degree than you might think. Explore the possibilities!

How I see the world: I am generally pretty critical of systems and pretty optimistic about people. I have a lot of faith in what people can do together.

Outlook at start of day: I am usually thinking about what is on my to-do list. I am an eternal optimist. I generally believe in possibilities rather than impossibilities, which is a driving force in shaping my approach to each new day.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Hopelessness is the enemy of justice” — Bryan Stevenson

If I had more time, I would: Spend more time sitting and talking with the people in my life.

Favorite recreational activity: I love to be in the mountains hiking and canoeing.

Best late-night snack: Key lime pie and ice cream.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: My experience in the world is not the same as everyone else’s experience.

Next goal: ARY and I are going to keep striving to get young people off the streets and out of homelessness.