Conversation Club: A Group Mentoring Model for Immigrant Youth

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Abstract

Mixed-methods research evaluates Conversation Club (CC), a Canadian after-school group mentoring intervention for newcomer youth. The study’s main objectives are to examine the effects of CC on newcomer youth’s experiences of belonging, connectedness, hopefulness, and integration into Canadian society. Using a quasi-experimental design, CC (n = 67) and a comparison group of immigrant youth (n = 25) completed questionnaires focused on sense of ethnic identity, community, belonging, and hope for the future. In addition, a subset of CC participants (n = 13) completed in-depth interviews focused on their experience of the Club. Interview findings suggest that participation in the Club results in an increased sense of belonging and connection for these young people.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What is the impact of mentoring on social-emotional and academic outcomes of youth from immigrant and refugee families?

This evidence summary, authored by Switchboard, provides an insightful overview of the current landscape of research on mentoring, both formal and informal, and its impact on the social-emotional well-being and academic success of youth from immigrant and refugee families in the United States. There is moderate to strong evidence that mentoring enhances educational aspirations. A […]

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Canada

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: average time of involvement 16 months

INTERVENTION: Youth mentoring

OUTCOME AREA: Mental Health and Mentoring

POPULATION: Immigrants

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Moderate

TYPE OF STUDY: Impact evaluation

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2019

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