Project Summary
The Pathways project uses innovative participatory visual methods to centre the involvement of 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing hidden homelessness (e.g., staying at a motel/hotel, with a friend, family, sexual/romantic partner, couch surfing) across three sites (Toronto, York Region, London, Ontario) in a critical examination of Ontario’s youth homelessness response.
This project involves 4-phases:
- Mapping Phase – Environmental scans and key informant interviews are conducted to help map the youth homelessness responses in each site.
- Cellphilm Phase – 2SLGBTQ+ youth with lived experience of hidden homelessness are engaged in the creation of cellphilms (short videos made using mobile technology) about hidden homelessness and in one-on-one interviews. A final film that highlights the cellphilms of all participants across each site will also be created for a large film screening event at the end of the project.
- Screening Phase – Cellphilms are screened to targeted audiences of key stakeholders across the project sites, followed by focus groups with each audience.
- Integration and Action Phase – Knowledge mobilization products are created and shared with the public and with key government and community stakeholders to improve strategies for preventing hidden homelessness.
