Meeting Folks Where They Are At
A key component for the success of a program like Street College is accessibility. Potential participants need opportunities to connect in consultation with program staff; in these interactions, the needs and access requirements of marginalized participants must be heard and held in dignity. Many of us think of education only as the hierarchical, colonial standard. Experiences in formal schooling may have involved abusive power dynamics, disempowering behaviour, unreasonable expectations, and other violent and traumatizing aspects. When providing opportunities to learn together, we need to create space for the learning to happen in ways and at a pace that works for those involved.
Meeting folks where they are at means addressing the basic needs that may be impacting someone’s ability to be present and participating.
Basic Needs:
A key component for the success of a program like Street College is accessibility. Potential participants need opportunities to connect in consultation with program staff; in these interactions, the needs and access requirements of marginalized participants must be heard and held in dignity. Many of us think of education only as the hierarchical, colonial standard. Experiences in formal schooling may have involved abusive power dynamics, disempowering behaviour, unreasonable expectations, and other violent and traumatizing aspects. When providing opportunities to learn together, we need to create space for the learning to happen in ways and at a pace that works for those involved.
Meeting folks where they are at means addressing the basic needs that may be impacting someone’s ability to be present and participating.
Basic Needs:
Food |
- Provide a meal so no one is trying to participate while hungry - Provide grocery items to take home |
Transportation |
- Provide bus or taxi vouchers - Arrange carpools - Schedule programs according to good hitchhiking/bus times |
Location |
- Co-locate classes with agencies or services that participants may already come to - Consider impacts of stigma applied from other service users, members of the public, and other service providers - Use a space physically accessible to people with mobility challenges - Offer seating options for people in pain, let people know they are free to get up and move their bodies, stand or sit on the floor. - Ensure access to a gender-neutral bathroom on site - Ensure a safe area to smoke cigarettes and cannabis or vape nearby |
Facilitation |
- Use a variety of engagements, ie.
- Flexible pacing depending on group need |
State of Being |
- It is possible that participants may be in altered or reduced states; do not respond by shaming substance use. - Try and prioritize the safety and participation of the group - Remember people on the nod can probably hear you and may well be paying attention -Facilitator and/or participants can help make connections between topics |