Community-Based Learning Opportunities, Winner 2005: Frontier College’s Beat the Street Learning Centre

This case study examines Frontier College’s Beat the Street learning centre, a non-profit charitable organization that serves at-risk, street-involved and homeless youths in downtown Toronto. The centre offers individuals the opportunity to acquire basic literacy skills, high school upgrading and computer skills training in an accessible and non-threatening learning environment. Each year, up to 48 learners participate in computer skills programs, and an additional 32 youths receive instruction in preparation for writing their high school equivalency examinations.

By providing street-involved youths with broader opportunities for education, employment and personal development, Beat the Street assists their transition out of homelessness. It also increases their self-esteem by giving them the skills, tools and confidence they need to succeed and to move on in their lives. The Beat the Street model has been adapted by numerous communities across Canada.