Issues of Homelessness:
“Artists Act Against Homelessness”:
Teachers and Students Explore Causes and Solutions
A Day of Teaching and Learning
Presentations, Conversations, Creative Explorations
Research and Social Action
A Collaboration of High Schools
with Students Committed to Social Change
Developed with a School to Career Learn & Serve Grant
Developed By:
BCLA: Boston Community Leadership Academy
Art Teacher: Joan Syms
Teachers at the High Schools at South Boston:
Art Teacher- Yvonne Troxell,Odyssey High SchoolComputer, Video & Web Design Teacher:
Robert Lamothe, Excel High School
Chairperson- Larry Merritt, School to Career Coordinator
Excel High School
“Issues of Homelessness” Conference Agenda: Tuesday, March 18th, 2003
Starting Out:
7:30 a.m. Students leave their schools
7:50 Students arrive at U Mass, Boston
Healey Library: 11th floor: Library Staff Lounge
100 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, MA (look for signs)
7:50-8:00 Sign in:
Student selects an “Artists in Action” focus group
Conference Agenda:
1. 8:00 a.m. Welcome Students and Guests:
STC: School to Career Chairman: Larry Merritt
Ms. Syms, Mr. Lamothe, and Ms. Troxell
2. 8:05– 8:45 Julia Tripp:
Performing Artist, writer, singer
will speak about her experiences with Homelessness;
Julia will introduce invited guests and friends who will participate in focus groups and panel discussions
3. 8:45 – 9:15 Chuck Turner, Boston City Counselor
4. 9:15- 10:00 “To Tell the Truth”: an Inquiry Panel
Performed by Father Bill’s Place, Quincy, Mass.
5. 10:00- 10:15 Short Break for snack: Juice, coffee, tea
6. 10:15 –10:45 John McGah, U Mass, Boston will speak of the Project
“Give Us Your Poor”: Short Film on Homelessness
“The Politics of Homelessness”: Talk and
Powerpoint Presentation by Robert Lamothe
MatthewWorks”: Homeless Artist Presenter: will show his Artwork
7. 10:45 – 11:30 “Artists in Action”: Art takes Action in focus groups
(Students from the two schools will gather to work together based upon student selection made in a.m.
using 3 media of Art & Communications: 15 minute rotations
8. 11:30 – 12:00 LUNCH and Conversations
9. 12:00- 12:30 Mayumi Brooks, Youth Director of Above + Beyond Program: Presenters from Brookview House.+ Above and Beyond, Inc.
Sheryl, a Homeless parent from Brookview House
10. 12:45- 1: 30 Round Table Forum:
Questions, Discussion, Action Steps, And Final Thoughts
Panel: Julia Tripp; John McGah; Mathew, Mayumi Brooks+ Sheryl, Students, Invited guests
11. 1:30 Students dismissed to r take transportation back to their schools
“Issues of Homelessness” Student’s Response
Student _____________________ Selected Focus Group # ____ /___ /____
Full Name- Please print
High School:____________________________ Grade________
START Sheet:
Students Please Check One :
Art & Communications Focus Group to start at: 10:45 – 11:30
Focus Groups will rotate after 15 minute # 1 to 2; # 2 to 3; # 3 to 1
“Artists in Action” Focus Groups:
# 1 : WORDS, SONGS, and MUSIC:
Songwriting, Poetry, Posters about Homelessness
#2: TECHNOLOGY & ACTION: “Getting the Word Out”
Historic Actions
What Can Be Done?
Documentary Photography & Filmmaking as Communication Arts
#3: PAINT, PAPER & FABRIC:
Concepts on canvas or mural; on Quilts, on making Artist’s Books
(possibly 2 sections)
END Sheet:
Responses to the Day: (use other side if necessary)
Have you found this day to be meaningful? In what ways ?( Help us by being specific)
Information was: Excellent Good Fair Poor, not informative (please circle one)
1.
2.
What Social Actions Steps would you like to continue to do work with?
1.
2.
What forms of Art do you want to work with to communicate these goals?
1.
2.
March 18, 2003 Conference Acknowledgements
“Issues of Homelessness: Artist’s Act Against Homelessness”
Has been developed with School to Career Learn and Serve Grants
With the Support and Collaboration of:
John McGah,
of the Project “Give Us Your Poor: Homelessness in the United states”
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Julia Tripp
Performing Artist and Social Change Activist
With the Friends and Family of the Homeless Network
Mayumi Brooks
Youth Director of Brookview House. Inc.
Above & Beyond Program :Shelters for Homeless Families
Chuck Turner
City Counselor of Boston
Massachusetts College of Art Education Interns:
Naomi Fletcher
Sudarshun Belsare
Sierra Rothberg
Food for the Day has been Gratefully Donated by:
Patty’s Pantry, Dorchester
The Fish Pier, South Boston
Joseph’s Bakery, South Boston
McGoo’s Pizza, South Boston
Supreme Pizza, South Boston
Stop & Shop Grocery, South Boston
Shaw Supermarkets from several Boston stores