TORONTO, October 26, 2009 -- A website devoted to research about homelessness is helping teachers and students talk about the topic, whether they are in drama or art class, civics class,  english, media studies or family studies.

The Homeless Hub has launched five curriculum units for a variety of high school classes, and one for elementary teachers. Led by Stephen Gaetz, associate dean of research and field development at York University’s Faculty of Education, the Homeless Hub is an online research library that brings together a variety of research networks, educators and community groups from across Canada.

 “Our goal is to increase understanding of homelessness, which touches individuals, families and communities right across the country,” said Gaetz.  “Many teachers already include social justice issues such as racism and sexism in their classes. These new curriculum units will encourage them to help students become more informed and active on the issues of poverty and homelessness. The resources we have developed are based on the best research available, and address questions such as: How do people become homeless? Why do people panhandle? And do homeless people get enough food?” 

The Homeless Hub website was created in 2007 to ensure that researchers, community service providers, government representatives, and members of the public would have access to the best research about homelessness, and to encourage information sharing through social networking. Last year, the Homeless Hub brought together researchers and educators who are experts in curriculum design to develop curriculum materials and resources for use across Canada.

Cameron Ferguson, a teacher at Bur Oak Secondary School in Markham, wrote the curriculum unit for high school drama teachers, and has been using it in her senior drama class for two months. The students conducted research on homelessness to answer their own questions about the subject and then wrote vignettes about five teenagers who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own: cast out of home because of domestic abuse, homosexuality, pregnancy, family poverty, or problems in school and with foster care. They will perform these “Street Stories” on Wednesday (see details below).

“In the beginning, the students had a very two-dimensional view of what somebody who is homeless might be like. This curriculum unit has given them more perspective on the various situations that lead to homelessness,” said Ferguson. “They now realize they may be going to school with someone or know of someone who is homeless, or easily one step away from homelessness − either living on the street or couch surfing. And they are now talking about solutions, both small things that can help and the big changes that are needed to end homelessness.”

The Homeless Hub’s educational resources for teachers represent a new direction in mobilizing research to address important issues of the day. 

“Through the Homeless Hub, we have developed the most extensive and integrated package of information about homelessness available anywhere, for teachers and students”, says Gaetz. “It includes curriculum units and lesson plans for various grade levels and subject areas, designed to be used in schools all across Canada.”

The curriculum units are supported by a series of background documents and materials, including clearly written summaries of key research in Canada to help teachers prepare lesson plans. Additional documents and resources are available to students for homework assignments. The website also encourages teachers to ‘talk back’ to the curriculum on the Homeless Hub, through providing suggestions or offering up their own curriculum units and best practices.

To learn more about the Homeless Hub curriculum for students:

WHAT: Performance of “Street Stories” by secondary school students
WHEN: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 9:45 to 11:15 am

WHERE: Bur Oak Secondary School, 933 Bur Oak Avenue, Markham

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 Faculties and 28 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

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To attend the performance, you must pre-register. Please contact:

Janice Walls, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22101 /  wallsj@yorku.ca