Alberta Mentoring Partnership Stakeholder Meeting

Alberta Mentoring Partnership Stakeholder Meeting Mentoring Refugee, Immigrant, and Newcomer Children and Youth September 11, 2017

Overview Mentoring What We Heard Resources Questions How to Get Involved

Mentoring Mentoring is the act of an adult or older youth spending time one-on-one, or in a small group, with a child. Mentoring for newcomer and refugee youth helps them succeed in school, and adjust to their new home.

What We Heard

What We Heard Consultations Geographic scope Online survey In-person group discussions (Edmonton and Calgary) Phone interviews Online research Geographic scope Alberta-wide (7 communities) National and international experts

What Works Participant-Driven Programs Grassroots Community Programs Let the participant identify and guide Grassroots Community Programs Empowering community members In-School Mentoring Peer-to-Peer or Youth-to-Youth Mentoring

What Works Holistic Programming Homework Clubs Conversation Clubs Suite of parallel programming for families Homework Clubs Conversation Clubs

Challenges Funding Siloing Confusion over what mentoring means Lack of coordination, duplication Confusion over what mentoring means Mental health and well-being Capacity Organization Individuals involved

Challenges Barriers Misconceptions Program policies and paperwork Real and perceived Misconceptions Program policies and paperwork Matching right volunteer to right role Employable skills English language skills

Challenges Cultural alienation or lack of acceptance Sexual minorities; religious minorities. Lack of available adult mentors Family Trauma Lack of critical mass of newcomers Public debate and stigma

Syrian and Other Populations More supportive of mentoring relationships with common culture and/or language. More supportive of grassroots activities. Some sense that agencies receive funding; grassroots does significant work. African population with different (and high needs)

Resources

Resources Considerations and Best Practices What to Know Definitions Examples of Programs Conversation Clubs Homework Clubs Marketing and Promotional Resources

How to Use the Resource Help develop programs. Review processes for volunteer recruitment, screening. Update terminology. Recruit and engage.

Who Will Use the Resources? Agencies Building programs Volunteer screening, recruitment, retention Volunteers What to know Schools Engagement

Best Practices Start by Building Trust and a Relationship Start with the End User in Mind Be Flexible Schools are Critical

Best Practices Be Culturally Relevant and Sensitive Be Participant-Driven in Matching with a Mentor Pay Attention to Costs. Keep them Low to Free Bridge Participants to Other Services

Programs Conversation Club Group mentoring Language and cultural learning Intercultural exchange

Programs Homework Club One-on-one or small group mentoring. Academic growth. Personal growth.

Challenges and Solutions 11 common challenges How to overcome them.

Promotion and Recruitment Schools Item is ready to be printed. Can also be acquired from AMP. Additional templates coming soon. Download and edit.

About Refugee and Newcomer population profiles. Where do refugees come from? What to know about refugee populations?

Resource Guide https://albertamentors.ca/refugee-mentoring/

Things to Remember Trust and relationships. Participant-driven. Schools! Every agency and community is unique. Find the program that works best for you.

Questions? Questions and Answers

How to Get Involved Download the resources https://albertamentors.ca/refugee-mentoring/ Book training for your organization or community mentor.support@albertamentors.ca

How to Get Involved Training opportunities can include: Overview of resources and mentoring. Training on specific tools or programs. How to promote and recruit. Other focuses to meet your needs.

How to Get Involved Training can occur: In your community. Online, via webinar or Skype. Presentation at meetings or conferences. In-person workshops.

Get in Touch Thank you! Please contact me: alex.abboud@gmail.com (780) 902-6858 Alberta Mentoring Partnership mentor.support@albertamentors.ca Thank you!