Windsor high school students present civic leaders with proposed solutions to homelessness | CBC News

Grade 12 students from Assumption College Catholic High School weighed in on Tuesday on the question of how to solve homelessness.

The students from the school’s social justice class capped off an extensive research project by making presentations to a panel of civic leaders, according to the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.

“I’m hoping to get positive feedback because my group really thought about this,” participant Emma Abah told CBC Radio’s Windsor Morning prior to her presentation. 

“And obviously the reason why they’re coming here is to have more ideas to battle homelessness.”

Jada Coates’ group conceived of a rehabilitation centre with nearby housing utilizing previously abandoned homes, she said.

“It will have a lot of mental resources to get help. And then we wanted to have … [people] start doing community service hours,” Coates said.

“And then once they get a certain amount of hours to show that they’re really committed to wanting to change, then they can start earning money from their services.”

When clients are ready, Coates added, volunteers at the centre could help them make resumés and apply for jobs. 

Both students said they feel homelessness seems to be getting worse in Windsor, and they feel empathy for those who are living unsheltered.

Doing the project has helped Coates think differently about homelessness and recognize that the solutions aren’t simple, she said.

Abah said her research led her to discover a women’s shelter that relies on volunteers and to consider volunteering. 

Coates said she also wants to work to raise awareness of the issue.