Newcomer Youth Mentorship Program

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About

Over the last decade, there has been a considerable increase in the number of newcomer youth resettling in Canada, with 34% of all newcomers being under the age 25. Newcomer youth face a plethora of challenges during their resettlement journey including linguistic barriers, inability to navigate the Canadian education system, acculturation stress, unemployment, lack of recognition of prior credentials, and discrimination. Adjusting to the pressures and stress of resettlement in conjunction with reconciling with the emotional distress of their experiences often has detrimental impacts on the physical and mental health of newcomer youth.

Difficulty navigating the Canadian education system serves as a large barrier and stressor for newcomer youth. Many youth have reported problems in getting their foreign academic credentials recognized by their educational institutions, resulting in them being held back a school year or grade/course retention. Other stressors include inadequate academic bridging support to newly arrived immigrant students, lack of guidance in managing the heavy load of school assignments, and bullying. Many newcomer youth have expressed that adjusting to these new systems is stressful for both themselves and their parents.

There is a need for more support for newcomer youth not only from a resources perspective, but also with support systems. With the families of newcomer youth often facing their own set of stressors, the youth are at times left with little support in such a transitional and potentially difficult time.

Overview

The Newcomer Youth Mentorship Program aims to establish a mentorship program that can connect mentors who have similar lived experiences such as immigrating to a new country, navigating foreign systems, and adjusting to an entirely different culture. Pairing mentors who can relate to the struggles of newcomer youth and provide meaningful insight, wisdom, and guidance can be crucial in establishing a much-needed support system.

Through the Mentorship Program, BC Newcomers Association strives to:

  1. To develop and train a network of mentors who provide real life support and advice to the newcomer youth to advance their academic and professional goals. 

  2. Create socialization, professional development, and numerous networking opportunities for newcomer youth. By participating in these programs, they can develop essential life skills and self-confidence that are necessary for success in both their social and academic lives. 

  3. Foster an ethical, safe, and inclusive environment where the youth feel comfortable asking questions regarding their future and address any other concerns they may have.

Program Details

To encourage meaningful connections and cultivate a sense of community, we will host various events throughout the year that will include games and activities. These gatherings will provide an opportunity for mentors and mentees to establish and strengthen their relationships, as well as to develop a sense of belonging within the community

The events will include workshops that will address the following:

  • Acquiring and applying work and volunteer opportunities

  • College/university applications processes

  • Creating resumes and cover letters

  • Scholarship and student loan applications,

  • Building community connections

  • Seeking mental health support and peer counselling

“Our goal is not only to connect a mentor and a newcomer youth, but also to ensure that the youth feels a genuine connection with their mentor, and that they feel comfortable reaching out to them for help and advice. We strive to ensure that the youth recognizes that they are not alone in their struggles, but have a network of support to rely on.”