The National Youth Advisory Council and the broader youth homelessness advocacy community mourn the loss of Ejay Velez—a passionate leader, a connector of people and resources, and a beloved friend whose presence lit up every room they entered.
Ejay was a committed member of the National Youth Advisory Council, where they embodied the Council’s mission to educate policymakers, service providers, and community leaders about youth and young adult homelessness. Their voice was unwavering, their advocacy deeply rooted in lived experience, and their dedication to transforming systems was nothing short of inspiring.
Ejay’s impact extended nationally, statewide, and locally. In Pennsylvania, Ejay was a Core Team member of the PA Youth Homelessness Coalition, and they were part of a team that brought Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement (YHSI) dollars to Berks, Lancaster, and York Counties in PA. Heavily dedicated to being a community resource connector, Ejay received the 2023 Youth Ambassador Award from the National Runaway Safeline.
Sharday Hamilton, a fellow National Youth Advisory Council alum, offered a deeply personal tribute:
“Ejay was more than a person who I worked with—Ejay was a friend. When Ejay spoke, they were very passionate about whatever topic they spoke on. Even though we both had different lived experiences, we shared the same purpose: to end youth homelessness. Outside of being an advocate, they loved their cat and the small stuff that made them happy. Even with a disability, me and Ejay saw the world the same. We believed that we could be the voice for the ones who can’t. Ejay expressed deeply how much health care and mental health care meant to them. Ejay was an awesome friend—when I was going through a tough time, they checked on me and sent me resources. A true friend I had indeed. After some conferences, me and Ejay would go and view the city and talk about real life things. This is so heartbreaking to write, but Ejay was loved by many. So many standing ovations when they spoke. So many long conversations because they were always making sure they were heard. You will be missed, but I promise to make sure your mission is complete.”
Barbara Huggins, a NN4Y colleague and friend, shared:
“ One-on-one, they always had a helpful, encouraging word or something silly to make you laugh. They had a beautiful and upbeat spirit. I know that they lived out their values by working intensely in their community, being in person to share advice or point someone to the right resource. Ejay, hope that your well-deserved rest is peaceful—but that you continue to raise hell, thunder, and lightning when there is an injustice afoot or young people aren’t at the table to be a part of the change-making process.”
Barbara also reflected on the personal moments that made Ejay unforgettable:
“They reminded me to take care of myself, find my worth, and that it was okay if all of the answers weren’t readily available. I like that we shared a similar nerdy/corny style of humor—so I would often walk away chuckling. I know that they had a tough life—a tough life that fed their passion for fairness and justice. They weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, participating in a recent Point-in-Time (PIT) count in Berks County, PA, helping connect their Continuum of Care (CoC) with area communities to make the count as accurate as possible. Ejay’s presence will be missed. I wish I could have watched what they would have become and how they would have grown in the advocacy space.”
Ejay’s legacy is one of courage, resilience, and relentless advocacy. They lived their truth boldly and used their voice to uplift others, especially those who felt unheard. Their work, their laughter, and their spirit will continue to echo in the halls of every conference, in the hearts of every young advocate, and in the systems they helped shape. We are grateful for Ejay’s life, and we honor their memory by continuing the work they so fiercely believed in. Rest in power, Ejay. You will never be forgotten.
