Union Station Homeless Services

Shawn Morrissey (he/him/his)

“Our initiative helps transform homelessness systems by moving beyond token inclusion to ensure people with lived expertise are recognized not only as recipients of services, but as leaders, contributors, neighbors, and partners in building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities and systems.”

Shawn Morrissey is Vice President of Advocacy & Community Engagement at Union Station Homeless Services, where he leads advocacy, community engagement, and systems change efforts to transform how communities respond to homelessness. With more than 23 years of experience across the homelessness response system, Shawn has dedicated his career to advancing approaches grounded in lived expertise, belonging, and authentic community integration. A person in long-term recovery with lived experience of homelessness, addiction, and trauma, he believes lasting change happens when people are recognized not only for their needs, but for their strengths, leadership, and capacity to contribute. Shawn founded Union Station’s Lived Expertise Advisory Panel (LEAP) and works to integrate lived expertise into organizational leadership, hiring, advocacy, and program design. His work seeks to move homelessness systems beyond transactional service models toward communities where people with lived expertise are valued as leaders, neighbors, and essential partners in creating healthier, more connected communities.