Integration and Inclusion: Programs Supporting immigrant youths in schools 2018 AAISA Summit Presentation Ricardo Morales Manager Community Development Integration Services & Southern Alberta Rural Initiatives

Calgary Brooks Nanton Chlaresholm Drumheller Airdrie Cochrane Chestermere Okotoks High River

Concept Map-Cultural Audit Today’s Multicultural Classrooms Concept Map-Cultural Audit Bringing it All Together: Teaching Every Student Culture & Inclusive School Communities Social Class & Intellectual Capital Differences Creating Culturally Inclusive Classrooms Gender: Differences in the Classroom Ethnic Differences Language Differences In the Classroom Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

" Programs fostering integration and Inclusion in educational institutions is vital for immigrant students who may have: pre-migration experiences that may hinder adaptation such as gaps in education/ literacy language barriers Cultural contrasting orientation Marginalization sense of identity/loss of identity  

YOUTH CONNECTIONS PROGRAM Calgary Catholic Immigration Society piloted a Youth Host Program in the late 1990s.  The program matched established high school students with incoming refugee youth.  re-established in 2006, when new Host Program funding became available.  Based on its great track record, the Youth Host Programs was one of the first projects supported.  The program is currently active in Schools within Calgary

To support integration of newcomer youth Create matches (ESL new Canadian students with Canadian students) maintain and establish relationships with school staff facilitate small and large group activities to promote student integration and learning facilitate newcomer student integration into the school community facilitate newcomer student general orientation and learning about their new school community supports integration and reduces risk factors for newcomer youth, and provides a superb developmental and leadership opportunity for Hosts.

Cultural Diversity Awareness Week Games from around the world NOW Program Cultural Diversity Awareness Week Notre Dame Collegiate Games from around the world Holy Spirit Academy

Newcomer Orientation Week NOW Newcomer Orientation Week Building on the success of the SWIS programming, in 2014, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society piloted a NOW Program . The Newcomer orientation Week- The program offers a multifaceted approach to: support the integration of new Canadian youth in schools, Works to eliminate factors that act as a barrier to learning builds capacity in the school community to support newcomer youth and their families

NOW: Newcomer, Orientation and Welcoming Programming in schools focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomer youth Three components: Youth Culture Ambassador Team (YCAT) & Training Culture Club The Mix

Youth Cultural Ambassador Training Program (YCAT) Developed and piloted by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society and Human Rights and Citizenship Branch – Alberta Community Development This project is collaboration between CCIS and participating School partners. 

Connecting Theory to Practice ". Connecting Theory to Practice The YCAT Program has the following outcomes: Attitude – to value others 'contributions, acceptance, understanding, openness, empathy, ability to deal with change and situations that are not always clear. Knowledge – to understand diversity and the concept of ‘culture’ as it exists in schools and communities. To learn about components of culture, intercultural communication, better understanding of diversity and the ingredients of conflict. Skills – to have the ability to apply knowledge learned and to represent a positive attitude to diversity and conflict. To reflect on knowledge before taking action; cross-cultural communication; conflict resolution   techniques; action planning and self-directed learning; leadership development cosmopolitanism" which consists of complexity, kindness and connection Openness toward an Other; Relational attachment to a locality, be it a place of origin or another; Recognition of the smallness of one's milieu; Migratory experiences, be these international, national, or regional; Capacity to integrate oneself in a milieu; Establishment and maintenance of mutual relationships, interconnecting with other similar persons; Awareness of living between two entities or in multiplicity, in a larger world, with the possibility of relational subtleties and positioning; A moral obligation toward the Other, especially toward the less fortunate;

Y CAT training/workshops covers training in self awareness and awareness of other cultures promote diversity lead conflict resolution skills develop skills in peer mentorship leadership development building bridges between groups and individuals to help them understand the diversity in their schools and the community.

Youth Cultural Ambassador Team Selected by school staff and teachers Selected students complete an application process Program is looking for students who show: Leadership skills and are positive role models in the school Have an awareness of other cultures as well as their own Willingness to explore and promote diversity

Y-Cats help to: turn challenges into positive situations through planning and intervention. They also act as positive role models for their peers and build supportive networks for new Canadian youth.

Culture Club: Weekly lunch-hour meetings Activity based learning sessions that are student driven and centered on their diverse and unique needs Help newcomer students feel part of the school and Canada Allow students to share their own culture and learn about others Homework help or any other support as needed Try new things, meet other students and HAVE FUN exploring Canada and other cultures

The Mix: Whole-school activity Bring entire school body together to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion Lead by Culture Club and YCATs Explores culture with hands-on activities: sharing ethnic food, traditional crafts, games and dance

Success Story When I first started working at BK School, I noticed the students were segregated into two groups at Culture Club: South Sudanese students sat on one side of the room, and Filipinos students sat on the other.  Nearing the end of the year, the students were sitting with one another and had become friends with each other. To me, this was a sign of the goals of our program being met, as integration was occurring.

CCIS Main Office 5th Fl., 1111 – 11 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2R 0G5 T: 403.262.2006 F: 403.262.2033 www.ccisab.ca rmorales@ccisab.ca