When Vicki Sokolik’s son brought home a classmate who was living on her own and was dropping out of school to support herself, Vicki stepped in to help. As she learned more about the invisible population of young people navigating life alone, she discovered the countless ways they are overlooked and impeded by the system. She founded a nonprofit and worked to change legislation in her home state of Florida to give these kids agency over their lives. In this talk, Vicki wakes us up to the issue of youth homelessness in America, through her own story of advocacy and the stories of some of the kids themselves. She demonstrates the world-shifting power of compassion, acceptance, belonging and self-determination, and the capacity each of us has to change our communities for the better.

There are an estimated 1.7 million unaccompanied homeless youth. On their own, they lack basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. Most can’t secure jobs because of their age, lack of experience or transportation. And yet if they are caught stealing to survive, many are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In this talk, Vicki Sokolik makes the case for having our criminal legal systems focus on the root of the problem instead of prosecuting these children and young adults to the fullest extent of the law—thereby breaking the cycle of generational homelessness and poverty.

When Vicki Sokolik realized that safety nets for teenagers with no place to call home and no parents, caretakers or guardians to shepherd them into adulthood are currently flawed and grossly inadequate, she decided to do something about it. And that she did. In this talk, Vicki shares her story on how an ordinary citizen can change lives. Vicki has worked with the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, co-authoring and amending legislation and testifying alongside students in her program—SRN—to pass 10 bills protecting unaccompanied youth statewide. Today, Florida is a leader in the protection of this population. It’s an inspiring story and shows that one person can, indeed, help change the world.

Breaking the cycle of poverty and chronic homelessness for unaccompanied homeless youth is so much more than simply providing them with food and a place to sleep. With the right tools, they can become productive members of society and live futures they could only dream about in the past. In this talk, Vicki Sokolik shares how her non-profit has found a successful formula to help the kids who have fallen through the cracks. From self-esteem building to proper medical and mental health care to academic support to life-training skills to name a few of the services, it proves that treating them holistically and humanly can make a huge difference for themselves and their communities.

We’ve all been there. It’s January and time to pick a goal for the new year. So you write down that big aspiration and are thrilled. It’s something you’ve always wanted to achieve. But each time you stare at what you’ve written, you’re overwhelmed. There’s no way you are going to hit that goal, so you give up. But there is a better way. In this talk, Vicki Sokolik shows you how to achieve your objective by starting where you are and taking small steps to get to that goal. It’s what she has done, which led to changing the lives of thousands of unaccompanied homeless youth across Florida.

In Judaism, followers are taught to help those in need through acts of service or financial donations. But, says Vicki Sokolik, they are never taught how mitzvot—a good deed—and Tzedakah—charitable giving—not only help others but also have an extreme benefit for the giver. In this talk, Vicki shares her story on how an ordinary citizen can change lives by helping out and how kindness gives a boost to your brain—making you feel good and taking some of your worries away. It is possible to unlock your happiness and Vicki will help you get started.