The report said it's estimated that roughly 65,000 young people are homeless or living in homeless shelters throughout the country at one time or another during a given year.

, associate dean of research and professional development in 91亚色's Faculty of Education, used to work in the youth homelessness sector in the '90s. He said the approach in Canada has remained much the same since 鈥� namely, the focus on provision of emergency services.

鈥淭he longer I鈥檓 involved in this issue, the more upset I am that we allow 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds to languish in emergency shelters rather than to provide them with better solutions and better options,鈥� he said. He co-authored the report with , an associate professor in 91亚色鈥檚 department of anthropology, and researcher Tara Patton.

Gaetz noted that other countries, such as Australia and the U.K., have evolved approaches focusing on prevention and moving individuals out of homelessness and into housing. He said while emergency services are needed, the real emphasis should be on preventing young people from becoming and remaining homeless.

He said research in Canada is pretty consistent in showing that between 60 and 70 per cent of young people come from households where they鈥檝e experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Yet even in situations where they鈥檙e leaving households where they may have been abused, it doesn鈥檛 mean their relationship with all family members has soured, he noted.

Even though family conflict is probably at the core of the majority of youth homelessness, it doesn鈥檛 mean that those relationships are irreconcilable, Gaetz said. In certain cases, there may not be a history of abuse but perhaps family conflict which can often be addressed. That means more intensive support is needed for both the youngster and their family.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 conflict parents may not know what to do. There may be anger management issues that need working on; there may be mediation. There may also just need to be a cooling-out period.鈥�

The report profiles the Family Reconnect program run by , which operates three shelters in the Toronto area and works with homeless and at-risk youth aged 16-24 to get them off the streets permanently.

The program provides youngsters with support through various channels, including counselling, to help get them on track to potentially return home or move into the community, ideally with family support.

Between 2005 and 2010, the program helped 376 clients. Among them, 62 per cent of youth became more actively involved with family members and 14.5 per cent reconciled with a family member after repairing a damaged relationship.

Parents are also able to benefit from the program.

Gaetz said it will require a unified approach from all levels of government to develop strategic responses to homelessness.

At the provincial level where funding is controlled for most service delivery, they recommend establishing an inter-ministerial working group that spans all sectors. They鈥檙e also asking municipal governments to develop strategic plans to address youth homelessness.

鈥淚 really believe that the knowledge is there about how to do this and, in many cases, the commitment is there to do things differently.鈥�

also covered the report April 13.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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Some 65,000 young people are homeless or at risk of homelessness across Canada. In Toronto, approximately 1,700 youth are on the streets on any given night, about half of them in emergency shelters.

Right: Report co-authors Daphne Winland (left) and Stephen Gaetz

鈥淚n Canada, we really need to radically reform our approach to youth homelessness,鈥� says , associate dean of research in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education and co-author of the Family Matters report. 鈥淲e need to be much more strategic in how we address the problem, and this means placing a greater emphasis on prevention, family reconnection and rapid re-housing efforts. This not only improves lives, it鈥檚 also more cost effective.鈥�

Prevention programs, including family mediation and support for the development of healthy family relations, are likely to produce longer-lasting results and a quicker exit from the streets, according to the report. Such interventions, which cost about $7,000 a year per youth, make better financial sense than putting a young person in a shelter for a year at a cost of more than $20,000. Unfortunately, such programming is rare in the sector, it says.

One exceptional initiative that the report says should be scaled up and replicated is the Family Reconnect Program, run by Eva鈥檚 Initiatives in Toronto. The Family Reconnect Program offers youth and their families access to free individual and family counselling to help them understand the nature of family conflict and resolve or better mitigate family problems. As a result, many youth decide to go back home, while others go into independent housing, supported by their community or family.

鈥淭he shelter system provides critical services, but it should never be the only option,鈥� says Rachel Gray, director of the National Initiatives Program at Eva鈥檚 Initiatives. Between 2005 and 2010, the Family Reconnect Program helped 376 clients: 62 per cent聽of youth became more actively involved with family members; 14.5 per cent聽reconciled with a family member after repairing a damaged relationship; and the housing situation improved for聽more than聽40 per cent聽of participants.

The Family Matters report also details the success of national youth homelessness prevention programs overseas that could serve as models for Canada. In Australia, work is done with school and community-based services to engage young people and their families before youth become homeless. In the U.K., family mediation programs help move young people out of the shelter system and back with their families or their community in a safe and planned way.

Part of the challenge in Canada is that emergency shelters are largely designed to provide young people with protection from abusive family situations. While this focus on protection is essential, given that 60 to 70 per cent聽of homeless youth flee households where they experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse, the potential role of family or extended family members to help youth move on with their lives is largely ignored.

Left: According to the report,聽prevention programs, including family mediation and support for the development of healthy family relations, are likely to produce longer-lasting results for homeless youth

鈥淔or many young people who become homeless, family still matters,鈥� says report co-author , a professor in the Department of Anthropology at 91亚色. 鈥淛ust because one comes from a household characterized by abuse, doesn鈥檛 mean that there are no healthy or redeemable relations within the family.鈥�

Given the gaps in the current Canadian response to youth homelessness, Eva鈥檚 Initiatives is launching an online toolkit that will give youth service providers across the country detailed information about how to incorporate prevention strategies into existing programs.

However, much more remains to be done if Canada is truly committed to ending youth homelessness, the report says. It calls for concrete measures and increased funding at the national, provincial and municipal levels to make prevention integral to Canada鈥檚 response to youth homelessness.

The Family Matters report and executive summary are available online as聽part of the Homeless Hub Research Report Series on the聽 website.聽The report, which includes detailed recommendations, also tells the personal stories of youth and families who have benefited from the Family Reconnect Program.

The Homeless Hub Research Report Series is a initiative based at 91亚色, highlighting the work of top Canadian researchers on homelessness. The goal of the research series is to take homelessness research and relevant policy findings to new audiences.

works with homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 to get them off the streets permanently. They operate three shelters in the Greater Toronto Area that house 114 youth each night.聽Eva鈥檚 also operates the Family Reconnect Program, which works with young people in a protected environment to support their efforts to address family conflict in a way that helps them move forward in their lives.

By Janice Walls, media relations coordinator at 91亚色, and Micol Zarb,聽 Media Relations at Eva鈥檚 Initiatives.

Republished courtesy of YFile鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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The Calgary Homeless Foundation has taken a leadership role in bringing together an international network dedicated to ending homelessness worldwide.

Foundation CEO Tim Richter instigated a four-day conference in Washington, D.C., that wrapped up Friday with broad participation from premier agencies, policy-makers and researchers from across North America, Europe and Australia.

. . .

"Homelessness as a big problem, emerged in Canada much later than it did in the U.K. or Australia or the United States. So we're kind of behind in our response to homelessness," said Gaetz.

"But by working collaboratively in this international context, we can leapfrog forward and move very quickly to develop effective permanent solutions, because the ideas are out there. There's a plan to move forward."

Gaetz is an active member of the Homeless Hub at 91亚色, the first comprehensive and cross-disciplinary web-based clearinghouse of homelessness research in the world.

He also directs the multi-year Canadian Homelessness Research Network, funded by the (SSHRC).

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile , 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin

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Gaetz鈥檚 research agenda foregrounds social justice and attempts to make research relevant to policy and program development. He comes to this work at 91亚色 after several years of working in the homelessness sector and for the City of Toronto. His research interests include homelessness, youth culture, criminal victimization and community development.

Gaetz has published a book on community-based responses to youth problems in Ireland, and numerous articles in a wide range of journals. His research on homeless youth has focused on their economic strategies, health, education and legal and justice issues. He led Canada鈥檚 first national homelessness research conference in 2005.

Gaetz is the director of the and the a clearing house for homelessness research. The mission of the Homeless Hub is to mobilize homelessness research so that it has a greater impact on policy, planning and service provision, thereby contributing to solutions to end homelessness in Canada. His research is funded by the (SSHRC).

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer.

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鈥淏eing homeless means constant exposure to dangerous people and places,鈥� said the report, "Surviving Crime and Violence: Street Youth and Victimization in Toronto". It was released Monday.

While most criminal cases involve property, almost two-thirds of the people interviewed for the study said they have been the victim of a violent crime at least once. And more than three-quarters said they had been victimized in the past year, says the 2009 survey of 244 homeless young people aged 16 to 25.

That group is 鈥減erhaps the most victimized street youth population,鈥� authors Stephen Gaetz, Bill O鈥橤rady and Kristy Buccieri wrote. Gaetz is associate dean of research & field development in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education, O鈥橤rady is a sociology and anthropology professor at the University of Guelph, and Buccieri is a PhD student at 91亚色.

The piece was also covered in聽 , , , Sept. 28.

, who is the associate dean of research & field development in 91亚色鈥檚 , also spoke about his latest study that shows homeless youth are often victims of crime, on CBC Radio and Radio Canada stations across the country and on OMNI-TV Sept. 27.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams with files courtesy of YFile 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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Homeless young people are victims of crime at rates that society would consider unacceptable for any other group, according to a new report by researchers at 91亚色 and the University of Guelph.

The report, , highlights the degree to which it is street youth themselves 鈭� often perceived as delinquent and dangerous 鈭� who are vulnerable to crime and violence.

鈥淭he very people we are taught to fear are the ones who are most at risk,鈥� said Professor (right), associate dean of research and field development in 91亚色鈥檚 . 鈥滿ore than 76 per cent of the homeless youth we surveyed said they had been victims of violent crime in the past year, and almost three-quarters of them reported multiple incidents.鈥�

In comparison, about 40 per cent of young people in the general population reported that they had been victimized in the previous year, when the last asked them about it in 1999 鈭� and they experienced mostly property crime.

Gaetz and University of Guelph Professor interviewed 244 homeless youths across Toronto last year about life on the streets. Their report was commissioned by , a not-for-profit legal aid clinic that operates a Street Youth Legal Services program, providing legal advice and support to homeless youth in Toronto.

The solution to problems youth face on the streets lies in changing the way youth homelessness is addressed, according to the report. It calls for a balanced response that, instead of relying mostly on emergency services, would balance preventive measures, an emergency response, and transitional support to move young people out of homelessness quickly.

Above: A homeless youth keeps dry under a bridge in downtown Toronto. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

In the interviews, conducted at agencies serving youth in downtown Toronto and the suburbs:

• female street youth were more likely than males to report being victims of crime (85.9 per cent compared to 71.8 per cent).
• 38.2 per cent of the female street youth reported being victims of sexual assault. Reports of sexual assault were higher among black females (47 per cent) than white females (33 per cent).
• 60 per cent of lesbian and bisexual females reported that they had been sexually assaulted in the past year, making them perhaps the most victimized group among street youth.
• young homeless women reported extremely high levels of violence and abuse from their intimate partners.
• youths who had become homeless at a young age (16 or 17) were much more likely to have been violently victimized than young people who became homeless later.
• only 20 per cent of all respondents said they had alerted police about their victimization.

Much has changed since Gaetz first wrote a report on homeless youth in Toronto, also for Justice for Children and Youth, seven years ago. The and non-profit agencies have improved services, and the City has expanded its Streets to Homes program to move youth into housing. Street Youth Legal Services, a program of Justice for Children and Youth, has expanded its capacity to support young people with their legal and justice issues.

However, the report concludes federal, provincial and municipal governments should be addressing youth homelessness with an integrated strategy that includes: an adequate supply of supported, affordable housing for young people; efforts by health and mental health sectors, corrections and child welfare services to ensure their practices do not contribute to homelessness; crisis intervention and family mediation to help young people remain housed; and transitional approaches with income, social and health care supports for young people.

鈥淢any people, including policy makers, believe that youth homelessness and crime are linked, and they use laws such as the Safe Streets Act to 鈥榤ove along鈥� young people,鈥� said Gaetz. 鈥淚n fact, our findings show that young homeless people are among the most victimized people in our society, and they need our protection.鈥�

Gaetz leads the (CHRN), which enhances the impact of homelessness research on homelessness and the housing crisis by increasing collaboration and discussion among researchers, policy-makers and community workers. One of Canada鈥檚 leading experts on homelessness, Gaetz also created the 鈥� the world鈥檚 first digital hub to mobilize homelessness research 鈥� to support collaboration, knowledge exchange, and public engagement among regional and clustered research networks. CHRN, , received $2.1 million through the strategic knowledge clusters program.

By Janice Walls, media relations coordinator. Republished courtesy of YFile 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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Two teams led by 91亚色 University researchers have received $5 million in research funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Their multinational research teams, involving multiple universities and community partners in a large-scale collaboration, have each received $2.5 million to examine long-term residential healthcare and global suburbanization.

The funding is part of 鈥檚 $10-million investment in critical issues of intellectual, social, economic and cultural significance through the (MCRI) program, the largest award competition SSHRC currently runs.

The program contributes to the deeper understanding of people and society while providing graduate students with research training opportunities. Royal Galipeau, MP for Ottawa鈥揙rl茅ans, made the announcement in Ottawa this morning on behalf of Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology.

Pat Armstrong, professor of sociology in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and an executive member of both the 91亚色 Institute for Health Research and the Graduate Program in Health Policy & Equity, will lead a study to identify promising practices for understanding and organizing long-term residential healthcare.

Right: Pat Armstrong

Although many of Canada鈥檚 most vulnerable citizens live in long-term residential care, it is often characterized as a last resort rather than as a positive option where both providers and residents can thrive. Armstrong鈥檚 project seeks to learn from and with other countries to understand the approaches, structures, accountability practices, and ownership arrangements that create conditions prompting respectful and dignified treatment for both residents and caregivers.

Twenty-five researchers, eight partnering institutions, and 17 universities in six countries will work across disciplines to capture and share data and best practices. Armstrong is Chair in Health Services and Nursing Research, co-funded by the (CHSRF) and the (CIHR).

Roger Keil, professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies, director of the City Institute at 91亚色, and director of the , is working with 44 researchers at 29 universities, and 16 partners in 12 countries to better understand the challenges suburbanization poses in a globalizing world.

Right: Roger Keil

Based on the experience of Canadian suburbanization, but ranging from North America鈥檚 wealthy gated communities to Europe鈥檚 high-rise-dominated suburbs, the exploding outskirts of Indian and Chinese cities to the slums and squatter settlements of Africa and Latin America, this project is the first to systematically take stock of worldwide suburban developments while analyzing their governance models, land use, infrastructure and suburban everyday life. The project also includes collaboration with the on documentaries about life in suburban high rises.

Of the four $2.5-million grants awarded, 91亚色 was the only institution with two successful projects, building on its strong track record in leading large, interdisciplinary collaborative research projects. Prior to today鈥檚 announcement, 91亚色 researchers held nine major SSHRC collaborative grants worth a total of $13.6 million in research funding.

鈥淎s the only institution to win multiple awards in this category, 91亚色鈥檚 researchers have clearly demonstrated their national and international excellence and leadership in large-scale, SSHRC research projects,鈥� says Stan Shapson, vice-president research and innovation. 鈥淟eading major research initiatives allows us to address key social issues facing our society. As global populations expand and age, suburban research and new approaches to long-term residential healthcare are increasingly important to the well-being of Canadians and nations around the world. These projects provide unique opportunities for Pat, Roger, and their research collaborators to conduct groundbreaking research with significant impact on real-world issues.鈥�

鈥淭hese grants highlight the excellence of our country鈥檚 talented researchers and recognize the importance of fostering international collaboration to keep Canada at the forefront of research, development and innovation in the 21st century,鈥� said Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC.

91亚色's other major SSHRC-funded interdisciplinary collaborative research projects

• 鈥淎ssets Coming Together for Youth: Linking Research, Policy and Action for Positive Youth Development鈥�, led by social work Professor Uzo Anucha in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) is developing a comprehensive youth strategy that will outline how marginalized urban communities like Toronto鈥檚 Jane-Finch neighbourhood can use their community assets to support positive youth development.
• The , led by Professor Emeritus Wesley Cragg in the Schulich School of Business, is mobilizing the University鈥檚 business expertise by bringing University researchers together in dialogue with leaders and researchers in business, government and the volunteer sector.
• The , led by Professor Stephen Gaetz in the Faculty of Education enhances the impact of research on homelessness and the housing crisis by increasing collaboration and discussion among researchers, policy-makers and community workers.
• The , led by LA&PS聽social work Professor Susan McGrath, studies refugee and forced migration issues to find solutions to the plight of refugees worldwide.
• 鈥淢onitoring the Human Rights of People with Disabilities in Canada鈥�, led by health policy & management Professor Marcia Rioux in the Faculty of Health, monitors and records human rights violations to put together an accurate picture of the daily lives of Canadians with disabilities.
• The Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative, led by聽geography Professor Philip Kelly in LA&PS, assists community organizations whose mandate includes the better integration of immigrants into Toronto's labour force by providing these organizations with free access to statistical data and analysis on various aspects of immigrant labour market integration.
• 鈥淪lavery, Memory, Citizenship鈥�, led by Distinguished Research Professor Paul Lovejoy, includes a team of more than 50 Canadian and international scholars who are researching聽the global migrations of African peoples under conditions of slavery and how the resulting racism arising from the exploitation of African peoples has shaped modern societies.
• 鈥淭he University as a Civic Change Agent: Community-Based Knowledge Mobilization鈥�, led by David Phipps, director of the Office of Research Services, is developing a community-focused input model for that seeks first to identify community knowledge needs and then focus university research expertise to help fill that need by creating a self-sustaining cycle of knowledge production and its uptake for policy, practice and community capacity building.
• 鈥淲ork in a Warming World鈥�, led by social science Professor Carla Lipsig-Mumm茅 in LA&PS, studies the challenge presents to Canadian employment and workplaces by examining seven Canadian employment sectors to seek policy, training, employment and workplace solutions to effectively assist Canada鈥檚 transition to a low-emission economy.

For complete competition results, visit .

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with photos courtesy of YFile 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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On March 9, the Globe published an article on the . The story was part of its special report on university research and also appeared in the Report on Business section:

The study of literature is rarely associated with economic growth, yet that is precisely the argument made by Impact Group co-founder Ron Freedman: "The Stratford Festival generates huge economic benefit for the local community. What's its core technology? Old English."

According to Mr. Freedman, who authored a report on the economic role of social sciences and humanities research, this type of research doesn't get its fair share of credit for its contributions to the Canadian economy and society.

Discussions about the role of research in economic growth are usually dominated by the so-called "hard sciences," biomedical and technology in particular, and the Conservative government's recent Speech from the Throne was no exception, with its promises to continue investing in the Science and Technology Strategy, create a digital economy strategy and support advanced research in space-based technologies.

But many in the research community believe that focusing funding primarily on science and technology to strengthen the economy is a mistake. "The humanities and social sciences are moving to centre stage," said SSHRC president Chad Gaffield recently in a speech.

Two projects lead by 91亚色 professors were mentioned in the coverage:

There are thousands of groups across the country trying to end homelessness. Yet, often being under-resourced, they lack funds to research whether their programs are effective. Enter Professor Stephen Gaetz of 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education and nursing Professor Bernie Pauly of the University of Victoria who teamed up with community partners to help them evaluate their programs and share their great ideas with other communities.

Megan Davies, a professor in the Department of Social Science in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, had long wanted to share the wealth of knowledge she had accumulated about the history of mental health in Canada with young people, wrote the Globe. So, together with Anne Marshall, director of the Centre for Youth & Society at the University of Victoria, she developed high-school material that teaches students to understand their own mental health and be compassionate toward others with mental illness and made it available to teachers online at the Web site CaringMinds.ca.

On March 8, the Globe also published an article on that included 91亚色's Knowledge Mobilization program, which partners researchers with community organizations and government policymakers to produce mutually-beneficial research.

鈥淭he future lies in exchanging all forms of research not just with industry but with government and with the community at large as well,鈥� says David Phipps, director of the Office of Research Services at 91亚色. 鈥淚n past, the focus has been on technology. Now we are extending it to business, law, the social sciences and the humanities.鈥�

...

At 91亚色, Mr. Phipps has two full-time staff working on what he calls knowledge mobilization. To date, they work with the United Way of 91亚色 Region and The Human Services Planning Coalition of 91亚色 Region, which represents 15 different social services agencies.

Representatives from those agencies meet regularly with 91亚色 researchers for what he calls KM in the AM 鈥� a knowledge management breakfast 鈥� where the agencies get to pick what area of research they want to hear about and a 91亚色 professor specializing in that area delivers a presentation.

"After that we leave it to the agencies and the professors to follow up," he says.

On March 10, Professor Joe Baker in 91亚色鈥檚 School of Kinesiology & Health Science in the Faculty of Health was profiled as one of several . It highlighted his research on the benefits of exercise and competitive sport to older people.

鈥淲e鈥檙e finding that a lot of things that we used to attribute to getting older, like decreases in cognitive functioning, depression and increased substance abuse, are really more a symptom of disuse rather than aging,鈥� says Baker, a member of 91亚色鈥檚 Alliance in Graceful Aging, a multidisciplinary research team.

He also examines how society鈥檚 negative stereotypes about aging influence people鈥檚 behaviours as they grow older. 鈥淲e are very much a culture that values youth and devalues the older person,鈥� he says.

His findings so far suggest people鈥檚 expectations about aging play a significant role in their declining physical and cognitive abilities. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just starting to get a handle on how big an influence these negative social stereotypes are on overall health,鈥� he says.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of .

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The summaries are available in a located on the KM Unit's Web site. They provide an introduction into the variety and depth of research that is conducted at 91亚色 and the University of Victoria as part of ResearchImpact, a service-oriented program designed to connect university research with across Canada to ensure that research helps inform decision-making. The KM Unit's new Community Collaboration Stations provide research collaborators with access to a 91亚色 computer, which allows them to access materials contained in the 91亚色 Libraries and other online resources.

Some of the new research summaries highlight the work of 91亚色 education Professor Stephen Gaetz, who studies homelessness, and that of Professor Uzo Anucha of the School of Social Work in 91亚色's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, who studies youth and poverty. The complete library of research summaries consists of 84 entries that present the results of research on a variety of issues, including HIV/AIDS, immigration & settlement, employment and climate change, as well as research on business & management, law and health services, to name but a few.

First announced in the spring of 2009 (see YFile, May 27), the ResearchSnapshot concept was ;tested in focus groups which included University researchers, provincial policy-makers and community social service organizations. The聽focus group participants were supportive of the initiative, which was described as offering an excellent introduction to research聽with just enough background and contact information, without being overwhelming.

Above: Participants in the afternoon research forum presented by 91亚色's KM Unit. The forum featured 91亚色 researchers speaking on the topic of youth engagement. The announcement of the new ResearchSnapshots and Community Collaboration Stations was made at the Dec. 2 forum.

There are limitations to the utility of the research summaries, says David Phipps, director of the Office of Research Services at 91亚色. He points out that a decision about public policy or professional practice should not be made on the basis of a single research study. 鈥淲e use ResearchSnapshots as a calling card to alert our non-academic research partners that there is research expertise at 91亚色 that might be relevant to a partner鈥檚 interests,鈥� says Phipps. This calling card helps 91亚色鈥檚 KM Unit broker relationships between 91亚色 and potential collaborators or organizations seeking to use research to inform decisions, says Phipps.

鈥�91亚色 has opened Canada鈥檚 first Knowledge Mobilization Unit that is fully integrated into the University鈥檚 research infrastructure,鈥� says Stan Shapson, 91亚色's vice-president research & innovation. 鈥淭he expertise of 91亚色鈥檚 researchers and their graduate students should be accessible in order to maximize the social economic and environmental impacts of public investments in university research.鈥�

Daniele Zanotti, CEO of the United Way of 91亚色 Region, agrees. 鈥淚t is important that community agencies are working from the best knowledge available so that they can make well-informed decisions,鈥� she says. 鈥�91亚色's Knowledge Mobilization Unit provides an avenue for community organizations to tap into the research expertise available in the University. It makes research, as well as researchers and graduate students, accessible to non-academic decision-makers.鈥�

The development of the ResearchSnapshots was supported by a grant from the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada. Production of the latest 40 research summaries and the Community Collaboration Stations were made possible through the support of the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation at 91亚色.

To access the research summary database, click . To reserve time on a Community Collaboration Station, contact 91亚色鈥檚 KM Unit by e-mail at kmunit@yorku.ca.

From YFile - 91亚色's daily e-bulletin

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More than 200 people, many of them senior educators, members of the community and representatives of government agencies, joined with 91亚色 faculty and students in celebrating the launch of the Faculty of Education鈥檚 first Organized Research Unit (ORU), the 91亚色 Centre for Education & Community (YCEC), on Oct. 22. The successful event was held at the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre in the Accolade East building.

Left: Mary Anne Chambers, Ontario's former minister of children and youth services, with Carl James, director of the 91亚色 Centre for Education & Community

As an ORU, the centre will be involved in research activities on the appropriate and efficient delivery of educational programs in both formal and informal educational settings.

In their remarks at the event, Alice Pitt, dean of the Faculty of Education, and Carl James, the Centre鈥檚 director, noted that the YCEC builds on the Faculty of Education鈥檚 more than 17 years of experience working in Jane-Finch schools and the community, as well as in the outer suburban schools. James also noted that the centre continues 91亚色鈥檚 history of being socially responsible, community-minded and accessible to members of communities, giving attention to interdisciplinarity, diversity, social justice and equality of opportunity.

The evening鈥檚 entertainment was provided by the talented stage band from Emery Collegiate Institute, a school in the 91亚色-Westview Partnership. As host of the event, James welcomed Amos Key, executive director of the Woodland Cultural Centre, who gave the invocation in recognition of the Aboriginal peoples of this territory. Key, who is also a faithkeeper from the Mohawk Turtle Clan of Six Nations of the Grand River, is one of 10 members of the Centre鈥檚 advisory council who were in attendance.

Left: Amos Key

Speakers for the evening included Rhonda Lenton, associate vice-president, academic, who brought greetings from the Office of the President and 91亚色鈥檚 senior administration, Pitt and Stephen Gaetz, associate dean of research & field development. Pitt also recognized special guests, including former MP Jean Augustine, Ontario鈥檚 fairness commissioner and sponsor of the new Jean Augustine Chair in Education in the New Urban Environment in the Faculty of Education.

Mary Anne Chambers, Ontario鈥檚 former minister of children and youth services and former minister of training, colleges and universities, gave the keynote address, titled 鈥淎ccess to Opportunity 鈥� an imperative not to be ignored鈥�. Chambers spoke about the gap between young people鈥檚 dreams and their achievements, and of the need for healthy communities that will lead to productive, inclusive and effective educational programs and practices.

Chambers complimented the Faculty of Education for taking the crucial step of inaugurating the 91亚色 Centre for Education & Community. She also expressed her hope that all involved in the centre will demonstrate a commitment to building stronger communities by conducting and disseminating widely research that engages communities in exploring all possibilities for helping young people achieve their full potential. Chambers ended by challenging educators and researchers to be passionate and committed community builders.

The 91亚色 Centre for Education & Community was established to enable, support and encourage opportunities for collaborative inquiry and innovative programs among faculty members, education researchers, educational administrators, teachers and learners, community and government agencies, and graduate students. Through collaborative research and initiatives, the centre will also contribute to the development of policies, programs and practices in education that strengthen the intricate links that exist between education and community.

For example, the YCEC, in partnership with the Elementary Teachers鈥� Federation of Ontario through the Equity and Women鈥檚 Services Department, will host a one-day workshop on Nov. 17 to encourage Grade 7 & 8 students from under-represented groups to consider a career in teaching. Students will learn about the teaching profession and how to become a teacher in Ontario. Participating teachers will have the opportunity to find out about programs in their areas that support such initiatives.

The YCEC together with the Toronto District School Board is conducting a three-year project titled School and Community Engaged Education (SCEE), initiated in 2008. The SCEE project team works with teachers in five schools to develop more inclusive curriculum and programs that are responsive to students鈥� cultural, social and economic needs, interests and circumstances, thereby improving students鈥� participation and achievement in schools. The idea is that an inclusive approach to curriculum and pedagogy correlates with an understanding of community life and the experiences of students.

To find out more, visit the YCEC Web site, where a 33-minute audio file of is also available.

From YFile - 91亚色's daily e-bulletin

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