Professional Development

2005 National Host Conference

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[ Section 3 ] Conference Workshops
Session 2

Workshop 2E - Child and Youth Host Models

Presenters:

Loyd Kibaara, Settlement and Integration Services Organization, Ontario
Aislinn Clancy, YMCA Cross Cultural and Community Services, Ontario

Workshop Summary:

The workshop focused on services to immigrant youth and children, and the need to improve and expand current services across Canada.

Main Objectives:

• Review current Youth Settlement Services
• Identify gaps in services
• Discuss non-traditional and complimentary approaches to achieving the outcomes of the host youth program
• To provide a forum for exchange of ideas and tested models among agencies serving youth.
• Prove the importance of programming for this demographic

Lasting outcomes can be shown by making connections between service models and the unique needs of immigrant children and youth.

Discussion:

• Current models included group settings, peer mentorship, literacy support, workshops, homework clubs, summer family day camp
• Challenges include gaps, youth needs, cultural barriers, conflicting values, recognition of previous education, negative stereotypes, role reversals, identity, stress, lack of clinical support, school dropout rates, space for sports and recreational activities.
• Discussion of non-traditional and complimentary approaches include key elements to develop an effective Youth Host Program, e.g., knowing the parameters with clear outcomes; consulting with youth to identify their wants and needs; flexibility; youth-driven; fun and interesting; accessible to youth in their environment; parental support of programs; activity based; friendship focused; leadership roles; partnerships; safe environment;
• Development and implementation of an effective program also includes mentorship, venues to include faith groups, community organizations, awareness of existing resources in community, partnerships;
• Challenges included lack of teachers’ awareness, parents’ participation, lack of strong ESL (English as a Second Language) programs, funding; partnerships; jurisdictional agreements (provincial/ federal responsibilities), unsafe neighbourhoods, lack of understanding of immigrant youth issues, fear of youth, no support for schools
• Immigrant youth programs are important in order to address the need for support to deal with impacts of trauma, racism and feelings of alienation.

Recommendations and Responses:

• Each city should provide immigrant youth services and that one of the CIC-funded programs should be mandated to do so. Currently some of the models are funded under Host, ISAP, by community foundations, or Settlement Workers in Schools. The service providers could choose one and do it adequately.

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