About Homeless Nation

History

Homeless Nation is a non-profit endeavor founded by Daniel Cross, a documentary filmmaker whose films deal with social justice, and Canada's homeless. In the making of his films "The Street" and "S.P.I.T. - Squeegee Punks In Traffic", hundreds of Montreal's homeless community shared their many, amazing stories with him. So many, that he was not able to fit them all into his films.

He conceived of a forum where these stories would not be lost. Where Canada's homeless community could share their stories and refuse to be ignored. A place to create equal access to online media, of sharing truths through audio/visual content for everyone to learn from. To have these stories told as an on-going dialogue for social awareness and positive change.

In 2006, with the help of Dan's film company partner Mila Aung-Thwin (producer), Brett Gaylor (filmmaker and web architect) and Anuj Khosla (administrator), www.homelessnation.org went live.

Our Goals

  • Build and strengthen communities, both virtual and actual, across Canada
  • Provide access to the Internet, media and training to Canada's homeless population
  • Encourage discussion and learning on social issues surrounding homelessness
  • Create dialogue between Canada's homeless and mainstream society to counter isolation and marginalization
  • Recycle and re-purpose technology for use by Canada's homeless communities
  • Break down stereotypes and barriers in our society
  • Community development uniting resources serving the homeless
  • Create a national collective voice by and for Canada's homeless population

    What We Do

    Homeless Nation's outreach workers across Canada work in a variety of ways in collaboration with the homeless community. We work in shelters, day-centres, squats, at protests, community events, on the street and online.

    We are dedicated to ensuring that digital tools for media, learning and communication are made available for homeless Canadians.

    We place donated computers into shelters and drop-in centres. Our outreach workers provide opportunities to create audio, visual or written testimonials from those whose voices are kept silent by their circumstances. We provide computer and Internet training. We meet Canada's homeless individuals where they are, and collaborate to add as many voices to the chorus as we can.

    Our website is an on-going community development project...a place for people to share their experiences and to learn about others... a place to look for lost friends...a place to connect to resources in Canada where one can find shelter, food, health care, harm reduction and legal assistance.

    www.homelessnation.org is our online home for those who have none, and our tool for social justice and positive change.

    Who We Are

    Staff

    Executive Producer: Daniel Cross

    National Coordinator: Alexandra Yanofsky

    Producer: Mila Aung-Thwin

    Web Producer: Brett Gaylor

    Administration: Anuj Khosla

    Co-Producer for the NFB: Kat Balou

    Outreach Locations

    Montreal, Quebec
    Radio and podcast co-ordinator: Eric "Roach" Denis
    Outreach: Anya

    St. John's, Newfoundland
    Community Partner: For The Love of Learning
    Executive Director: Robin Grant

    Vancouver, British Columbia
    Outreach co-ordinator: Janelle Kelly
    Outreach: Colin Ford, Chris Fink

    Victoria, British Columbia
    Outreach co-ordinator: Richard Boyce
    Outreach: Rose

    Web Design and Programming - Whisky Echo Bravo

    This site runs on DRUPAL, an open source content management system.

    Legal Counsel: Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC)

    Co-Produced in association with:

    The National Film Board of Canada

    The Canada Council For The Arts

    Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Quebec

    The Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund

    Human Resouces and Social Development Canada

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