Education Toolkit
What is the Education Toolkit?
A comprehensive resource for educators and guardians to use as a guide when talking to children and teens about homelessness.Young people can experience a lot of discordant emotions when they see homelessness without context, and here in L.A. County they encounter it every day. Early learning can help them better understand the power of compassion, empathy, and personal action in solving this crisis.
The Education Toolkit is designed to be adapted based on the needs of your students, with an introductory framing section that will help you think about how to address these difficult topics in a sensitive and age-appropriate way.
The funding to create this resource was made possible through a grant from the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative.
Downloads
Full Toolkit
One-pager
Framing
Unit 1: What is homelessness?
This unit lays the foundation on which future conversations about homelessness and housing will be built. It explores the nature of a home and the support, both material and emotional, that homes provide, challenging students to consider life without one. Older students explore the concept of a fundamental right to housing, and examine the stigma that is often associated with homelessness.
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Unit 2: What causes homelessness?
This unit explores the causes of homelessness and asks students to let go of preconceived notions about homelessness and the people who experience it. Students are challenged to examine the systemic issues that propagate homelessness, explore the problem through data and real stories, and learn about the services and resources that help people regain housing.
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Unit 3: What impact can I have on homelessness?
This unit turns the tools of understanding and empathy gathered from the other units and challenges students to come up with an action plan. Students will learn about the people working to end homelessness in L.A. County and find age-appropriate ways that they can get involved.
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Appendix
Additional resources to help you get the most out of the toolkit, find places to volunteer, and connect with the L.A. County Homeless Liaison for your school.