Conversation Club: A Promising Practice in Youth Mentoring of Migrants and Refugees

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Abstract

Evaluates Conversation Club, a Canadian after-school group mentoring intervention focusing on the expansion of the program across three separate regions of Ontario. The authors use a multiple methods design, including questionnaires (n=101), post-session process data, and qualitative interviews (n=18), to evaluate how Conversation Club impacts members’ feelings of hope, belonging, sense of ethnic identity, and social support. A focus group (n = 7) with program facilitators was also conducted to explore the process of dissemination of the Club across regions. The core research question was focused on the impact of Conversation Club participation on hope and belonging across multiple sites. The qualitative data collection allowed us to better understand what aspects of the Club facilitated belonging, and the process through which engagement in the Club takes place. It is important to note that this study indicates that group mentoring programs may be more effective for newcomer youth than would be individual mentoring programs, because of youth’s reports of enaging in “shared voice” activities and productive connections.

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: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Canada

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: average time of involvement 10.25 months

INTERVENTION: Youth mentoring

OUTCOME AREA: Mental Health and Mentoring

POPULATION: Immigrants

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Impact evaluation

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2018

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