Episode 13: Mya Moniz, Renting While Young

This episode celebrates the one-year anniversary of Homelessness in Hiding: Our Youth Between the Cracks with a sit-down, tell-all with founding member and host, Mya Moniz.

Guest host Shian Smalling chats with Mya about her perspective as REST’s Advocacy Podcast Coordinator; Mya tells us about what it’s like to rent as a young person in a skyrocketing housing crisis, what she’s learned about homelessness, youth homelessness, and surrounding issues, and how the podcast has changed her outlook on life and how she hopes it does the same for others.

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Further Reading:

Official Ontario Lease Agreement (Government of Ontario)

Housing Law (Steps to Justice) | (Automatic Renewals) | (Rent Increases) | (Month-to-Month Renting)

Regional Council of Peel (Region of Peel)

Mya’s Other Appearances:

Regional Council of Peel Delegation (REST Centres)

News Article (Mississauga News)

Podcast Episode (The Pointer)

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About the Guest:

Mya Moniz

Peer Support Leader | REST Centres She/Her

Mya is an independent youth and Former Crown Ward of the Peel Children’s Aid Society. She’s achieved an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction from the University of Toronto in English, Professional Writing and Communications, and Sociology. She also sits at the Senior Leadership Table for the Peel Alliance to End Homelessness as a youth with lived experience.

Mya believes there is great power in healing, growth, and catharsis through writing and storytelling, and she strives to help others tell their stories the way she tells hers.

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About the Host:

Shian Smalling

Executive Assistant | REST Centres | She/Her

Shian is a student at the University of Toronto currently studying Psychology and Intercultural Communication. She is passionate about youth and walking alongside them to help them live out a purposeful life, subsequently achieving greater well-being.