Homelessness: After Service-Learning Class, It’s Top-of-Mind for Future Educators

Where could a person at risk of being homeless turn for help?

As part of service-learning, second-year students in Dr. Rodney Hopson’s Social Justice in Educational Settings class, set out to find the answers.

They rode and walked through Wilkinsburg, discussed the situation with Wilkinsburg Area School District officials and social service agencies. Through old-fashioned persistence, the class was able to find out—and to produce a directory of services, including abuse, community partners, disability services, drug and alcohol counseling, employment, faith-based groups, and child care and disaster services, among others.

Through this project, the class took its learning beyond Canevin Hall and was challenged to consider injustice, Hopson said. “It’s making what I’m teaching relevant to students.”

The directory was presented at a Wilkinsburg Area School Board meeting and targeted principals, teachers and students, from elementary to high school. It also was distributed to businesses and agencies in the community, said class member Danielle D’Andrea.

Students said the project challenged their perceptions of Wilkinsburg, compared to what is captured in negative news reports, and let them experience the close-knit neighborhood, its community center and resources.

“Homelessness isn’t just about some guy standing on the corner hitting everybody up for money, but about kids in schools who don’t have a home, and might be staying with other kids they know,” said student Dominic Broglia. “We hope it helps kids.”