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Laronde Elementary students gain understanding about homelessness after vising local shelter

GEvB2SjbAAA5xG9.jpgImage: @EngagedCommuni2 on X/TwitterA visit to a local shelter for people experiencing homelessness proved enlightening for a class of Grade 6 students from Laronde Elementary.

Teacher Christine Carriou took her class to the White Rock Daytime Warming Centre to learn about its services and contributions to the community. The visit came to fruition after Carriou met the shelter’s operator, Upkar Singh Tatlay, at a community event.

“We had connected and talked about turning it into a learning opportunity for students,” she said.

A proponent of experiential learning, Carriou opted to take her class to the shelter via public transit and walking.

“With the recent winter weather we had here, it allowed them to make those connections with how it would feel for those who are struggling and the relief that is provided by these types of services,” she said.

Once there, students learned about the services provided by shelters, the limitations on when and how they operate, and the various factors that can lead to homelessness.

“There are a lot of stigmas and stereotypes about those that make use of these services, and I think the students were surprised to hear some of the reasons that people may need them,” said Carriou.

She said students were surprised to hear it wasn’t just people battling things like addiction or substance abuse, but also refugees or immigrants struggling to find work due to certifications not being recognized in Canada, or people with health problems that left them unable to work.

“That really opened their eyes, and they were very interested in learning about youth homelessness and what kind of services might be available to people like them,” she said.

Prior to attending the warming centre, the class had collected donations to bring, as well as collaborated on a large ‘Welcome’ painting which they presented during their visit. It was hung near the shelter’s entrance and Carriou said it’s already had a positive impact on the shelter’s clients.

“We received a message from the shelter operator about a mother who had recently lost her daughter and was experiencing struggles resulting from that,” she explained. “She then spent the evening near the painting saying it reminded her of her daughter, who also loved to paint.”20240111_164049.jpgStudents work on the welcome painting presented to White Rock's Dayime Warming Centre (Image: Surrey Schools)

Following the trip, Carriou said her students had a greater appreciation for social services like the shelter and had a newfound sense of understanding for those who may be experiencing social hardships.

“My goal is to help my students become caring, empathetic and contributory citizens,” she said. “One of the key things they took away from this is understanding that everyone has a story and not to jump to conclusions.”

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School District No.36 (Surrey)