Focus Group Research

Starter

Definition of Social Justice:
Social justice issues occur globally, nationally, regionally, locally, and within groups. These issues are a result of unequal wealth and resource distribution, unfair treatment of individuals with differing traits (race, culture, sexual orientation, religion, etc), and laws that support segregation.

Do you think Homeless is a social justice issue? Or rather an issue of injustice? Explain!

Goals of our focus group research

1. Our goal on this step of our project is to develop a depth of understanding from MULTIPLE perspectives on the major issues related to homelessness and to begin to understand how Durango and other communities seek to solve address those issues.
2. We will then move on to brainstorming solutions and get feedback from various stakeholders to ensure those solutions will be effective.  
3. Then we'll try to implement solutions! Hooray!

Class Biz

• On Monday, Mari from "Food not Bombs" is coming in to speak to the morning class.
• Chrissy from the homeless shelter is coming to speak to the afternoon class.
• Wednesday- Donna Mae is coming!
• Ryan-- can you film Mari?   And send me youtube video from Willie's call?
• Thank you cards for our guests from this week!
• Homeless shelter chefs, Tuesday!!  If there is enough interest, I can try to arrange for another night.
• Next Thursday we'll go on a tour of Test Tracks. I need parent drivers though!   PLEASE COMPLETE THE PERMISSION FOR by TUESDAY of next week! And ask your parents if they can drive for our class (and the other class if possible too!)
• Student Led Conferences are next Wednesday 10/19
• Missing Justice books!

Agenda

1. What were the key takeaways from Ed and Tom's presentations in terms of effective community organizing and solution-ing??

• Empowerment
• Compromise
• Support services
• Partnerships
• Hope
• Mutual Understanding and Respect
• Listening and soliciting feedback from multiple points of view!

2. Is Homelessness a Social Justice issue or rather an issue of Injustice?  Why?

• Read this editorial in The Huffington Post: "Homelessness, Racism and Social Justice"
• Discuss your reactions in your group- do you agree with the author? Does this seem relevant to you in some way in our community?

3. Powerpoint and activity on Framing the "PROBLEM"-- WHY and HOW should we frame the problem?

• In your research groups, get into partners. Between the two of you, Come up with a problem statement.
• Now share it with the rest of your group. Create a new problem statement as a group, incorporating best wording and key ideas from all statements.
• Write your group's problem statement on the white board. Ashley will select/combine the clearest ones.

4. Let's quickly review the rubric for research and share out ideas for quality resources!

5. Check out this document with quality resources for our Justice project. Please add to this if you find a resource that is "on fleek".  It will be up on my Documents page too.

6.  Focus Group Research time!  HOW MUCH MORE TIME DO YOU THINK YOU NEED ON THIS PHASE??