WORKING WITH NEWCOMER & REFUGEE YOUTH ONE SIZE DOESN T FIT ALL Presenter: SALIMA TEJANI Brampton Multicultural Center November 23rd, 2016
AGENDA Introductions De-Bunking Myths The Profile of Newcomer Youth Differences - Immigrants & Refugees Cycle of Adaptation Group Activity Effective Practices
MYTHS & FACTS
DE-BUNKING MYTHS Newcomer youth cannot speak English or French Newcomer youth can t or don t want to fit in Refugee youth take government money/get everything for free Jails are filled with illegal immigrants Privately sponsored refugees are not entitled to government assistance (including provincial assistance) during the period of their sponsorship. Immigrants take the jobs and que-jumpers The families of refugees and other newcomers to Canada make important contributions The cost of healthcare for refugees amounts to a fraction of that of other Canadians Refugees and others seeking protection in Canada are not threats to security Newcomer youth are not LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Qeers) Government assisted refugees have access to financial assistance from the federal government through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP). Refugees live in many different circumstances, not just in camps Canada is taking in too many refugees
THE PROFILE NEWCOMER YOUTH SNAP SHOT
Undocumented" youth (youth without immigration status) living in Ontario are especially vulnerable and are without access to many of the services needed to protect health and wellbeing. Source: Statistics Canada, 2009 Snap Shot Children and youth make up a significant portion of immigrants into Canada. The number of newcomer youth between the ages of 15-24 settling in Canada has been steadily growing during the last decade from 28,125 arriving in 1999 compared to 37,425 arriving in 2008 (24.9% increase). On average 35,000 immigrants and refugee youth between the ages of 15-24 settle in Canada every year; this represents roughly 15% of the approximately 250,000 permanent residents that come to Canada annually. The composition of refugee youth settling in Canada is slightly higher (20.4%) compared to youth in other groups. Most immigrant youth settle in the three metropolitan cities in Canada: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. In the City of Toronto, immigrant youth between the ages of 15-24 constitute 39.5% of all youth in that age group. The majority 79.8% of youth who settle in Canada are from racialized visible minority background
Permanent Resident Arrivals in Canada, Ages 15-24, by Category, 1999-2008 Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Developed by Access Alliance
The Diversity of Immigrant Youth Korea 2014 Mexico France United Kingdom USA Pakistan Iran China India Philippines Philippines India China Iran Pakistan USA United Kingdom France Mexico Korea 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Proportion of Children and Youth Source: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey, Statistics Canada
THE IMMIGRANTS REFUGEES DIFFERENCES
Refugees and Immigrants IMMIGRANTS REFUGEES 01 02 03 04 Immigrants choose to leave their homeland and settle in a country of their choice. They arrange the most suitable method of travel and pack the possessions they wish to take. They can sell or dispose of possessions they don t wish to take. Immigrants have time to prepare emotionally for their departure and to farewell friends and family appropriately. Immigrants take with them their travel documents, passports, and other documentation, including Educational Certification. 01 02 03 04 Refugees do not choose to leave their homeland. They flee in response to a crisis. They have little choice about where they go and by what means they will travel. They have no time to pack or to distribute possessions. Almost everything is left behind. Refugees, due to their hurried, often depart secretly, are unprepared emotionally for leaving, and may not have time to say farewell to their loved ones. Refugees often flee without any documentation whatsoever. Source: Settlement.org
Refugees and Immigrants IMMIGRANTS REFUGEES 05 06 07 08 Immigrants usually immigrate with their families. Immigrants depart for their new country knowing that they can return to their homeland for visits, or return permanently if they cannot settle. Immigrants are usually well prepared and well motivated to settle in a new country. Many will have found out about schools, employment and local conditions before they left their homeland. Immigrants, due to their better levels of health, education and economic independence, are less likely to encounter negative attitudes in their resettlement country. 05 06 07 08 Refugees often leave family members behind. Although they dream of returning home, they know that this is unlikely to happen. Refugees arrive in their new country illprepared and often traumatized. They have little in the way of possessions and financial resources. They are often debilitated by a pervading sense of loss, grief, worry and guilt about the family left behind. Refugees may experience stigma and prejudice in their resettlement country in relation to cultural differences, disease prevalence, low education levels and perceived burdening of the welfare system Source: Settlement.org
Cycle of Adaptation Five distinct stages: 1. Honeymoon stage 2. Culture shock 3. Initial adaptation (adjustment and compromise) 4. Mental isolation (depression, isolation and rejection) 5. Acceptance and integration Individuals experience this process differently and may go through the stages at different times. Source: Settlement.org
Cycle of Adaptation
GROUP ACTIVITY
BARRIERS CHALLENGES REFUGEE AND NEWCOMER YOUTH
Adapted From: OCASI - Newcomer Youth Settlement Guide
Barriers and Challenges A New Country and a New Language Pressure to fit in while trying to negotiate their identity between two cultures Peer Pressure Financial Challenges Lack of Self Confidence, Self Esteem and Identity Issues Continuing Education in Canada Employment: Difficulty transitioning from school to work Racial Stereotypes in the school systems, labour market, media and in confrontations with the police force Systematic Barriers Racism, Discrimination/Prejudice and Stigma
Barriers and Challenges Lack of focus on families. Most programs address children and youth on an individual basis Lack of Parental Involvement in their Children s Education Settlement Related Challenges - At home, some youth witness the tensions between parents because of frustrations, difficulties, and in some cases outright suffering in a new country. Lack of translation and cultural interpretation that restricts access to services Mental Health - Post Traumatic Stress & Disorder for Refugee Youth Lack of knowledge of the Canadian Justice System Isolation/loneliness because of a lack of social support Bullying Discipline and Intergenerational Conflict
POSITIVE PROTECTIVE FACTORS How Can You Engage Newcomer Youth? Engaging newcomer youth begins with acknowledging the systemic barriers that affect individuals who resettle into Canada from all over the world, and work to instill a climate that promotes mutual understanding, an appreciation for cultural diversity, and respect and dignity for all within your coalition. FAMILY Support at Home, Moral Support INDIVIDUAL Gender, Sense of cultural identity PEER Buddy System, Peer Tutoring, Group Mentoring SCHOOL School based programs (ESL, life skills training, career planning, mentoring etc.) Positive relationships with adults in school (teachers, counsellors, school resource officers etc.) COMMUNITY Faith communities, cultural organizations, and other groups.
Effective Practices Staff and youth should be sensitized on the need to respect those that are different. Ensure that services are culturally sensitive and delivered in a multicultural environment that respects youth, irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, and mental or physical ability. Diversity awareness/education training. Provide an integrated approach of services and a long-term approach in programming. Most programs are short-term due to funding constraints. Introduce programs that reflect the needs of all newcomer and refugee youth... Increase youth participation through enhanced diversity and accessibility. Outreach and advertisement campaigns, to ensure that immigrant communities are reached. Exploring and capitalizing on partnership opportunities among various actors: schools, family resource centres, mainstream organizations, immigrant service agencies and ethnocultural groups. Address Youths Lack of knowledge and unfamiliarity with Social Issues. Develop strategies for working with youth and the community. Providing more family focused programming. Most programs address children and youth on an individual basis. Viewing parents as outsiders weakens the parents ability to support their children. Developing programs that address parent s mistrust of Western culture. Understanding who is being served. Each youth has a unique need ONE SIZE DOESN T FIT ALL.
What does it take to work effectively with Immigrant Youth? Have the knowledge of Community & Immigrants Experiences Be aware of the changing population demographics in the local community Know the specific circumstances and conditions in the home countries of participants Understand the cultural customs, norms, and family structures of local immigrants communities. How? Learn directly from immigrant youth, parents and community leader. ASK questions, hold dialogue sessions, and most importantly LISTEN. Posses the Cultural Competences and be aware of your own Biases Be able to relate to individuals who come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Understand and respect the fact that immigrants basic values, traditions, and beliefs may vary from those prevailing in the dominant culture. Avoid pre-judging participants on the basis of cultural backgrounds or treating individuals unjustly. See each young person as an individual and set high expectations. Engage youth and families to get their buy in, ownership, and input when designing programs and services for them.
What does it take to work effectively with Immigrant Youth? Language Proficiency Ability to provide services in the participants language. This helps build trust and makes environment comfortable and welcoming Ensure that written materials are translated or adapted so they are accessible to diverse immigrant groups. Recognize that nonverbal cues and styles (eye-contact, gestures etc.) can have different meaning in different cultures. Connection with Families and Communities Accept youth and their families as participants who have the right to be here and receive services. Foster the environment of acceptance within the organization. Make initial connection and build trust with participants parents and caregivers. Network effectively with members of the immigrant community. Meet and build relationships with clergy members and other local leaders; attend and support events in the community; collaborate with schools to help youth and their families make a successful transition.
References OCASI - NEWCOMER YOUTH SETTLEMENT GUIDE FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES - BEST SETTLEMENT PRACTICES. SETTLEMENT SERVICES FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN CANADA STATISTICS CANADA IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP KIDSNEWTOCANADA.CA ACCESS ALLIANCE - DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR NEWCOMER YOUTH: POLICY AND SERVICE IMPLICATIONS SETTLEMENT.ORG
NEWCOMER & REFUGEE YOUTH ONE SIZE DOESN T FIT ALL