ICE Training & Reach Ahead at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford
ICE Training & Reach Ahead at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford
Sector & Price:
Sector & Price:
Arts and culture
Arts and culture
Business
Business
Health and wellness
Health and wellness
Justice, community safety, and ES
Justice, community safety, and ES
Non-profit, education and child care
Non-profit, education and child care
$100 per student
$100 per student
Requirements Met:
Requirements Met:
Sector-partnered experience - ICE
Sector-partnered experience - ICE
Reach ahead experience
Reach ahead experience
Date:
Date:
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time:
Time:
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Address:
Address:
73 George St, Brantford, ON N3T 2Y3
73 George St, Brantford, ON N3T 2Y3
Overview:
Overview:
This fall, high school students will have the rare opportunity to engage directly with university professors leading one of Canada’s most timely and impactful new educational initiatives: the Homelessness Curriculum. Developed through research by Wilfrid Laurier University, York University, and the University of Guelph, this first-of-its-kind course is being launched at post-secondary institutions across the country.
In this SHSM-exclusive experience, students in the liberal arts sectors will step into the university classroom of tomorrow. Hosted in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University (Brantford campus), this experience invites students to think critically, work collaboratively, and design human-centered solutions to one of Canada's most pressing social issues: homelessness.
This fall, high school students will have the rare opportunity to engage directly with university professors leading one of Canada’s most timely and impactful new educational initiatives: the Homelessness Curriculum. Developed through research by Wilfrid Laurier University, York University, and the University of Guelph, this first-of-its-kind course is being launched at post-secondary institutions across the country.
In this SHSM-exclusive experience, students in the liberal arts sectors will step into the university classroom of tomorrow. Hosted in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University (Brantford campus), this experience invites students to think critically, work collaboratively, and design human-centered solutions to one of Canada's most pressing social issues: homelessness.
What makes this experience unique?
What makes this experience unique?
Unlike traditional workshops, this SHSM-exclusive session immerses high school students in a live research initiative with direct societal impact. Students will:
Unlike traditional workshops, this SHSM-exclusive session immerses high school students in a live research initiative with direct societal impact. Students will:
Engage with real university professors shaping one of Canada’s most timely educational movements.
Engage with real university professors shaping one of Canada’s most timely educational movements.
Think critically and collaboratively about the complex issue of homelessness through evidence-based tools developed by the Building Bridges Project.
Think critically and collaboratively about the complex issue of homelessness through evidence-based tools developed by the Building Bridges Project.
Practice design thinking and human-centered problem-solving, skills essential for both higher education and the workplace.
Practice design thinking and human-centered problem-solving, skills essential for both higher education and the workplace.
Gain a rare “first look” at university-level curriculum before it officially reaches classrooms nationwide.
Gain a rare “first look” at university-level curriculum before it officially reaches classrooms nationwide.
By the end of the workshop, students won’t just have discussed homelessness. They will have practiced creating innovative, human-centered solutions to one of Canada’s most pressing social challenges. This is more than preparation for post-secondary studies: it is a chance to contribute to a meaningful national conversation while developing critical skills in civic dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.
By the end of the workshop, students won’t just have discussed homelessness. They will have practiced creating innovative, human-centered solutions to one of Canada’s most pressing social challenges. This is more than preparation for post-secondary studies: it is a chance to contribute to a meaningful national conversation while developing critical skills in civic dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.
Leading Professors:
Leading Professors:
Erin Dej is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has been studying homelessness for the past 15 years, guided by the lived experts she works with. Erin's research focuses on the social exclusion of unhoused people, including the criminalization of homelessness. She is the author of A Complex Exile: Homelessness and Social Exclusion in Canada (UBC Press). More recently, Erin has conducted research on NIMBYism in mid-size Canadian cities. She is the co-lead on the documentary, Bridging Divides: Voices & Visions about Homelessness in Mid-Size Cities.
Faculty website:
Erin Dej is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has been studying homelessness for the past 15 years, guided by the lived experts she works with. Erin's research focuses on the social exclusion of unhoused people, including the criminalization of homelessness. She is the author of A Complex Exile: Homelessness and Social Exclusion in Canada (UBC Press). More recently, Erin has conducted research on NIMBYism in mid-size Canadian cities. She is the co-lead on the documentary, Bridging Divides: Voices & Visions about Homelessness in Mid-Size Cities.
Faculty website:
Carrie B. Sanders is Director of the Centre for Research on Security Practices (CRSP) and Professor of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Carrie is co-principal investigator on the From NIMBY to Neighbour: Brokering a dialogue about homelessness among police, people experiencing homelessness and the community research project. Her research has focused largely on policing and police practices. Recently she has been conducting research with various cities to explore perceptions of homelessness, crime, community safety and community resilience. Her research has been published in high impact, international journals such as: Gender & Society; British Journal of Criminology; and Policing & Society.
Faculty website:
Carrie B. Sanders is Director of the Centre for Research on Security Practices (CRSP) and Professor of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Carrie is co-principal investigator on the From NIMBY to Neighbour: Brokering a dialogue about homelessness among police, people experiencing homelessness and the community research project. Her research has focused largely on policing and police practices. Recently she has been conducting research with various cities to explore perceptions of homelessness, crime, community safety and community resilience. Her research has been published in high impact, international journals such as: Gender & Society; British Journal of Criminology; and Policing & Society.
Faculty website:
Trailer:
Trailer:
Agenda:
Agenda:
👋 9:00am – 9:30am: Students arrive & introductions (time to say hi!)
🏠 9:30am – 9:40am: Ideal Home icebreaker activity (imagine your dream space!)
🎥 9:40am – 10:25am: Homelessness 101 (let’s get the context together)
☕ 10:25am – 10:40am: Quick break (and a buffer if we need it)
💡 10:40am – 11:30am: Design Thinking workshop (hands-on creativity time!)
🍱 11:30am – 12:00pm: Lunch break (fuel up, you’ll need it!)
🏫 12:00pm – 12:45pm: Campus tour (split into two groups, 25/25, to explore more)
🌍 12:45pm – 1:45pm: Build a Better Future activity (design your big idea)
🎤 1:45pm – 2:15pm: Student pitches & choosing winners (the spotlight is yours!)
🍬 2:15pm – 2:30pm: Closing (yes, still candy!)
👋 9:00am – 9:30am: Students arrive & introductions (time to say hi!)
🏠 9:30am – 9:40am: Ideal Home icebreaker activity (imagine your dream space!)
🎥 9:40am – 10:25am: Homelessness 101 (let’s get the context together)
☕ 10:25am – 10:40am: Quick break (and a buffer if we need it)
💡 10:40am – 11:30am: Design Thinking workshop (hands-on creativity time!)
🍱 11:30am – 12:00pm: Lunch break (fuel up, you’ll need it!)
🏫 12:00pm – 12:45pm: Campus tour (split into two groups, 25/25, to explore more)
🌍 12:45pm – 1:45pm: Build a Better Future activity (design your big idea)
🎤 1:45pm – 2:15pm: Student pitches & choosing winners (the spotlight is yours!)
🍬 2:15pm – 2:30pm: Closing (yes, still candy!)
Helpful Info:
Helpful Info:
Schedule Flexibility
Schedule Flexibility
We understand that bus schedules often shape your day more than you do. We're happy to adjust the agenda to fit your timing needs. Just let us know as early as possible if your school has any specific constraints.
We understand that bus schedules often shape your day more than you do. We're happy to adjust the agenda to fit your timing needs. Just let us know as early as possible if your school has any specific constraints.
Tentative Scheduling
Tentative Scheduling
Event dates may be subject to change based on sector partner availability. Final details and confirmations will be shared at least one month prior to your scheduled field trip.
Event dates may be subject to change based on sector partner availability. Final details and confirmations will be shared at least one month prior to your scheduled field trip.
Backup Plan
Backup Plan
In the event of school closures due to weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, events will be rescheduled.
In the event of school closures due to weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, events will be rescheduled.
Group Size Update
Group Size Update
Please register the number of students you plan to bring. You’re welcome to swap students, but adding more requires prior approval. Just send us an email and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Please register the number of students you plan to bring. You’re welcome to swap students, but adding more requires prior approval. Just send us an email and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Update Timeline
Update Timeline
Please let us know of any changes to your group size at least two weeks before the event.
Please let us know of any changes to your group size at least two weeks before the event.
Absence Policy
Absence Policy
No-shows will be charged the full event fee. However, we are happy to offer a free online training session for any students who are absent.
No-shows will be charged the full event fee. However, we are happy to offer a free online training session for any students who are absent.
Group Supervision
Group Supervision
Please bring the right number of staff or chaperones based on your school board’s guidelines.
Please bring the right number of staff or chaperones based on your school board’s guidelines.
Drop-off Location:
Drop-off Location:
The bus drop-off location is on George Street, directly in front of the Carnegie Building. Our staff will be waiting there to guide you to the event space.
The bus drop-off location is on George Street, directly in front of the Carnegie Building. Our staff will be waiting there to guide you to the event space.