Christine Wong-Chong is a law student at Osgoode Hall. She has a M.A. in Criminology and a B.A. Christine works with Legal Aid Ontario and has in the past worked as a research assistant. She has also participated in a web-based story telling project entitled “Toronto Youth Street Stories.”

Her Study – Young, Queer, & Homeless in Toronto (PDF Format) By Christine Wong-Chong, M.A. 

Below is video provides Food for Thought on an upcoming topic at the ShOUT Youth forum Ilona Abramovich is one of the guest speakers at shout Feb 24, 2010.

Interesting video about being young, queer and homeless in Toronto in 2008. Where’s the support?  The  sample Vide (below) is by Ilona Abramovich. Ilona is the Research Coordinator at Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital. Ilona has more podcasts,  where she interviewed various people (researchers, people with lived experiences, activists, academics…) about the issues of youth homelessness, with particular focus on LGBTQ youth homelessness. It’s an informative tool and shares quite a lot of knowledge on the topic.

A 2000 study estimates between 25 and 40 per cent of homeless youth identify as LGBT. Yet in Toronto – which promotes itself as Canada’s gay capital – there are no emergency shelters or crisis services specifically designed for them, says Abramovich, 29, whose experience “coming out” as a lesbian sparked her interest in the issue.

“There are programs for queer youth and programs for homeless youth. But there is very little geared to the specific needs of queer youth who are homeless,” she says. “And that has to change.”

At Queer West ShOUT young adult Unconference Wednesday February 24, 2010 (31) participants were shown a 30 minute exclusive  film documentary on life and  times of Ilona, Young, Queer and Homeless  and living on the  streets Toronto and the solutions, she is now seeking to help queer youth.  Film director and writer, Ilona Abramovich, not available on any video hostings sites.

This will be the hot topic of discussion, by experts and queer youth at the launch party Wednesday Feb 24, 2010 at  Shout Queer Youth Program and Forum,  Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre, 220 Cowan Avenue (Toronto Parkdale) 7 pm to 8:45 pm

Visit her home page: http://www.ilona6.com/news.php