Season 3, Episode 9: SSW Professors Jo Gomes (She/Her/Hers), and Maureen Bornbaum (She/Her), co-authors of, "Experiences of LGBTTGNCQ+ Homeless Youth in York Region."

About Today's Show

In today's episode, we speak with Jo Gomes, Professor in the Social Service Worker Program, and Maureen Bornbaum, former Seneca Student (now faculty), co-authors of the ground-breaking study, The Experiences of LGBTTGNCQ+ Homeless Youth in York Region. (click here for a link to the report)

According to some research, upwards of 40% of homeless youth belong to the LGBTTGNCQ+ community, yet, in 2017, how well this community is served by supporting agencies in York Region had received little, if any, disciplined analysis. Professor Jo Gomes recognized this as an opportunity not only to study this question, but also to introduce her students to the real work of field analysis. The result was a groundbreaking study, Sponsored by Seneca College and published in 2018, that not only had a measurable impact on how LGBTTGNCQ+ homeless youth are served in York Region, but also created a lifelong learning experience for Jo's students (the study's research assistants), and for Jo as well, and is a definitive example of Seneca's role in not only providing great student experiences, but also benefiting the community at large.

Also in this episode, we talk about:

1. The journey of the report, from inception to reality.

2. Maureen's experience as a student, and how the experience of the research impacted her academic and professional career.

3. Steps taken to ensure the research was not left to languish on a website, but transformed into genuine action.

4. And lots more!

About Today's Guests, Professors Jo Gomes and Maureen Bornbaum

Jo Gomes (Pronouns she / her / hers)

Professor Jo Gomes is the Principal Faculty overseeing the research: The Experiences of LGBTTGNCQ+ Homeless Youth in York Region, and has been a faculty in the Seneca College Social Service Worker program since 2006. Professor Gomes also has a BSW degree from Ryerson University and a Masters in Social Work from York University. Jo has worked on the front lines assisting youth and adults, including those experiencing mental health issues, homelessness, addiction and intimate partner violence. Most of her work has been involved in social justice initiatives.

Jo has worked on planning committee's for York Region's Take Back the Night, Pride York Region and International Women's Day Events, and was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Seneca College. Jo is also the recipient of the Premier Award, which honors the important social and economic contribution college graduates make in Ontario and throughout the world.

Jo currently sits on Seneca's Academic Council and is part of the Equity Diversity Inclusion Curriculum Committee.

Maureen Bornbaum (she / her)

Maureen Bornbaum is also a faculty member of the Seneca College Social Service Worker program, having also graduated from the Program in 2017. Maureen is a Registered Social Service Worker, Certified Addictions Counsellor & Clinical Traumatologist who works in the field of substance abuse services. Maureen is also Director of Community at Cornerstone to Recovery, an intentional community providing support for those in recovery.

Professor Bornbaum also has a Bachelor of Honours in Global Development and Gender Studies from Queen's University in addition to a Social Service Worker Diploma from Seneca College. She has since completed professional development in ASIST Clinical Trauma Counselling, and is certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.

Maureen is passionate about queer rights, social justice and community models of social services. In her free time, Maureen can be found with her two rescue dogs, Cadence and Ukee, who are both huskies from northern Ontario.

Important Links and Contact Information

Click here for LGBTTGNCQ+ acronyms and definitions.

Click here to read the research report, Experiences of LGBTTGNCQ+ Homeless Youth in York Region.

Click here for Cornerstone to Recovery.

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Pat Perdue