BEND, OREGON — In a recent grassroots effort to tackle youth homelessness, Eliza Wilson, a 36-year-old leader of programs aimed at assisting unhoused youth, took the stage to share her poignant life story. Wilson opened up about her experiences, recalling, “My father was a disabled veteran,” and “I first experienced homelessness when I was 5 years old.” 
 
On this particular Saturday, she was addressing a citizen assembly composed of thirty diverse individuals from the local community, ranging from acupuncturists to retired riverboat pilots. These participants, none of whom were public policy specialists, were brought together to brainstorm potential solutions to youth homelessness, a pressing issue in Bend and surrounding areas of Deschutes County. 
 
This unique initiative, which is supported by over $250,000 in funding from various sources, including foundations like the Rockefeller Foundation, aims to foster direct citizen involvement in the decision-making process. Wilson engaged her audience effectively, presenting detailed data and her personal narrative of struggle and recovery, illustrating how such assemblies can rekindle civic engagement. 
 
Kevin O’Neil, an innovation specialist at the Rockefeller Foundation, noted the general frustration Americans feel towards current civic institutions, which they often view as distant and ineffective. “People want to be directly involved in decision-making,” he asserted, emphasizing that while expertise is welcomed, citizens do not want to relinquish control entirely to them. 
 
Claudia Chwalisz, the founder of DemocracyNext, echoed this sentiment by stating that citizen assemblies can help mitigate societal polarization and enhance community ties. Founded in Paris in 2022, her organization advocates for similar assemblies globally, aiming to create democratic spaces where ordinary citizens can address complex policy issues collaboratively. 
 
The real test for these citizen assemblies is whether they can translate dialogue into actual policy changes or new initiatives within governmental bodies. While European nations have witnessed notable successes, such as a 2021 assembly in Washington State that generated 148 climate action ideas, results in the U.S. have been varied. An initiative in Petaluma, California, has faced delays in implementing proposals, and efforts in Colorado have also seen slow progress. 
 
Bend’s economy is thriving, with an unemployment rate of just 4.2% and a median household income exceeding $80,000. Yet, the steep rise in housing costs has led to a visible increase in homelessness, with a reported count of over 1,800 individuals in Deschutes County as of January, a marked rise from previous years. In 2023, the local organizations DemocracyNext and Healthy Democracy collaborated with Bend officials to bring the citizen assembly model to central Oregon, led by Josh Burgess, a veteran committed to building relationships across political divides. 
 
After much deliberation, the assembly focused its attention on addressing homelessness among young individuals aged 14 to 24, which offered a more promising area for actionable change. Organizers undertook an extensive outreach effort, contacting 12,000 residents to curate a diverse group of 30 participants, achieving a balance across various demographics. 
 
The venue for the assembly was the McGrath Family atrium at Oregon State’s Bend campus, a well-lit and welcoming space. As members were seated at a large table, their individual contributions were marked by name tags. Although the early hours of the assembly progressed slowly, the mood shifted after lunch when Eliza Wilson took the lead once more. Her calm demeanor was paired with visible emotions as she shared insights from her work in homeless youth services. 
 
“Teens get really good at hiding their homelessness,” Wilson explained. She recounted her own fortunate circumstances, which included being guided to a shelter at 15 and staying there until graduation. By 21, she had managed to regain stability. Her story resonated deeply, eliciting numerous questions from assembly members eager to learn more. 
 
During the second day of discussions, participants engaged with young adults with personal histories of homelessness. This led to significant insights regarding systemic issues, including weaknesses within the foster care system and specific risks faced by LGBTQ youth. Many participants found these conversations transformative, leading them to reassess their previous beliefs about homelessness and consider community-based solutions. 
 
Local officials observed the proceedings, recognizing the importance of the assembly in reflecting community desires. Some expressed concerns regarding the impact of recent legislative changes on drug offenses and the general social fabric, while others, like Commissioner Tammy Baney, highlighted the importance of political will in facilitating effective policy adoption. 
 
The coming months will reveal the true effectiveness of this citizen assembly in overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and enacting meaningful changes regarding youth homelessness in central Oregon. “It all depends on how much political will there is,” Baney concluded, hinting at both the opportunities and obstacles lying ahead for this grassroots initiative.