Social Exclusion & Youth Who Engage in High-Risk Behaviour: The Safe Streets Project Old Strathcona Community Mapping and Planning Committee October 27, 2014
Old Strathcona Community Mapping and Planning Committee
When you’re homeless you feel like an outsider, not part of civilization. As soon as you’re homeless and fall asleep somewhere you’ll get woken up within 15 minutes and told to get out. 20 year old male
Phase 1 Findings How far the youth traveled on a typical day was a surprising result Male youth traveled farther on a typical day than female youth Female youth reported more unsafe areas and fewer safe areas Transportation is a huge barrier
Phase 2: Youth Transit Pilot
Phase 2 Transit Project Findings [Having a transit pass] was the best feeling in the world, like liberation, being able to go where you can or need to go. It got me to my school. I did temporary jobs; it got me to my workplace in the morning. It is like the difference between being normal and homeless.
Safe Streets Phase 3
If people aren't safe, the place isn't If people aren't safe, the place isn't. And if I don’t know anyone, then I don't know if it's safe. 19 year old female
Bus tickets. You get harassed or jumped if you're walking Bus tickets. You get harassed or jumped if you're walking. Then you have to get on the train and you can’t pay. 14 year old male
I feel like I don’t fit in with the rest of everybody I feel like I don’t fit in with the rest of everybody. I feel like people look down at me because I’m homeless. I feel dirty. 18 year old female They think I’m a criminal. 21 year old male
I used to steal when I was younger but even now I get banned I used to steal when I was younger but even now I get banned. I was just waiting for cabs with like, 9 people, and we got kicked out for being there too long. 17 year old male
Sometimes kids just grew up on the streets and it takes some time for them to accommodate to the standards that other kids have, the kids with better opportunities. 21 year old male
Always stay in groups of people, stay away from drugs, and don’t be out at night time. 18 year old female