We’re excited to share the final reflection of our four-part reflection series highlighting the voices of our 2026 Advocacy Fellows. As a reminder, in this series, each Fellow has shared what stood out from their conference experience and how it continues to shape their advocacy. Check out our blog to catch up on the ones you may have missed from our previous three here.
We’re also sharing the recording of the Fellows and alumni conference presentation alongside these reflections. Whether you attended the session or missed it, we encourage you to watch and hear directly from these incredible advocates. We’re grateful to continue sharing their perspectives and look forward to highlighting our final Fellow next week.
This week, we are sharing a reflection from DaKota Morgan below!
[DaKota]:
“Attending the 2026 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference as an Advocacy Fellow was an incredibly meaningful experience, not only because I had the opportunity to connect with advocates from across Minnesota, but because I was able to help shape the conference itself. One of the things I am most proud of was helping develop this year’s Youth Track, which created space for conversations specifically focused on youth homelessness, the challenges young people face navigating systems, and the importance of youth leadership. As someone who has experienced both foster care and homelessness, and who has spent years advocating alongside young people, creating opportunities for youth perspectives to be centered in these conversations was especially important to me.
Another highlight was speaking during the Fellow and Alumni Spotlight, where I shared my reflections on lived experience leadership, organizing, and legacy. One of the messages I wanted to leave people with was that leadership is not about being the person holding the microphone forever. It is about making sure someone else knows how to pick it up. In many ways, helping create the Youth Track was an opportunity to put that belief into practice. It reminded me that meaningful leadership is not just about having a seat at the table, but about opening doors, sharing power, and ensuring that the next generation of advocates has opportunities to lead.
“My biggest takeaway from the conference was the importance of turning our conversations into collective action. As we approach another legislative session, we have a responsibility not only to continue pushing for meaningful solutions to homelessness but also to defend the progress that advocates and communities have fought so hard to achieve. The relationships we build, the knowledge we share, and the voices we make space for are what strengthen our movement. Ultimately, I hope we leave behind stronger communities, stronger movements, and a future where those who come after us have to fight a little less hard for the dignity, safety, and housing they deserve.”
At this year’s conference, our Fellows also joined Advocacy Fellowship Alumni for a conversation about leadership, lived experience, and the importance of making space for those most impacted by homelessness in our advocacy work. Check out the Fellows Advocacy Spotlight from the Conference here.
A special thank you to DaKota for sharing their reflections on the conference, especially how sharing the mic and creating space for people with lived experience is so important in this work. We’re grateful for their perspective and for all our Advocacy Fellows and alumni bring to this work.
That wraps up our MCH Annual Conference reflection series featuring our Advocacy Fellows! As we look ahead to the 2027 legislative session, we’re excited to continue learning, advocating, and working alongside these incredible leaders to move this work forward.