Social inclusion within community youth programming: an exploration of the experiences of first and second generation youth within mainstream, multicultural and ethno-specific organizations

Marleah Beth Eriksson Graff

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14645088

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of first and second generation immigrant youth within community youth programming in mainstream, multicultural and ethno-specific organizations. Through interviews with nine youth and three youth program staff this study reveals how youth view the community based programming they attend as well as how their experiences reflect social inclusion or exclusion. Young people's positive experiences are that youth programs are spaces that generate positive feelings, contribute to growth, assist in developing meaningful relationships and connect youth to their community. However, youth also disclose experiences which negatively impact their inclusion in youth programming. Using a lens of social inclusion, this study demonstrates the central role of community youth programming in creating socially inclusive or exclusive environments. These young people's recommendations for change provide solutions for making community youth programs more inclusive.

Highlights

Research QuestionsFirst and second generation immigrant youth access a variety of support systems which address their short-term and long-term settlement, integration and social inclusion needs
This study seeks to determine: What are the services provided for newcomer youth through mainstream, multicultural and ethno-specific programming? What are the positive and negative experiences of immigrant youth within community youth programming? And, what are the youths’ recommendations to improve community programs? From my own experience, I have seen the rich and vibrant impact such programs have on newcomer youth and through utilising an exploratory approach I hope this study lays the foundation for further research to be conducted on this relationship
Findings within this study seek to answer two questions: first, how do first and second generation youth view their community based youth programming? And second, how do their experiences reflect social inclusion or exclusion? The findings of this research study are displayed in four sections

Summary

Introduction

A plethora of research focuses on the experiences of first and second generation youth within educational services; other support systems are significantly less studied. My own experience as a community worker with various non-profit organizations supports the integral function of community-based services in enabling first and second generation immigrant youth to find the supports they need on their journey toward settlement, integration and social inclusion. First and second generation immigrant youth and youth program staff were interviewed regarding youth’s experiences within mainstream, multicultural and ethno-specific community organizations to determine the following: the range of services provided for immigrant youth by community organizations within Toronto; the youth’s positive and negative experiences within these three types of organizations and any youth identified gaps within this area of research and programming that should be addressed. The analysis of the narrative clearly shows that community organizations are environments of social inclusion for first and second generation youth

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion