Building Relationships with Families and Communities. A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO EDUCATE A CHILD Dr. Sentsetsa Pilane Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters Society of Edmonton and Area November 30, 2016 Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
What is a Partnership? Broad range of relationships and structures Goal Address a defined Problem Address a Systemic Challenge Short-term, one Collaboration Platform for Initiative based Joint Project Joint Program Strategic Alliance Collective Impact time collaborative among a small set ongoing on long term Model effort among a of partners to collaboration commitments to a small set of implement a around one or common agenda partners, often to program to more related by the group of develop or pilot address a specific issues, aligning cross-sector an innovative aspect of a social partners (typically actors needed to product or problem >5) in support of a realize systems- approach common agenda wide change and joint around a social investments problem May require changes to organizations’ core Requires contributions from individual activities to align with the common agenda – Partner organizations to a joint effort – short term medium to long-term >10 years and not (< 10 years) and oriented around specific Expectation defined by specific grants grants Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D Adapted from FSG: The Promise of Partnerships – Multi-stakeholder partnership typology page 2
The Issue: Challenging measures for challenging times Social Challenge: How do we reach out and support the integration and re-building of lives? Integration in Ecosystems Building Networks within systems Building Partnerships with Families & communities Families and children Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Parallel but not equal challenges Challenges faced by Challenges faced by new immigrant families home communities u Often language barrier u Language and communication u Low income and decent living u Limited resources resources – lack of immediate u Time lag in learning and employment responding to needs u Systems understanding u Cross-cultural learning and u Cross-cultural understanding understanding u Identity renegotiation u Re-negotiating a different identity u Loss, isolation and associated consequences Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Parallel and complementary assets and strengths Assets and strengths within Assets and strengths within immigrant/refugee families welcoming communities u Resilience u Adaptable and open minded u Determination to overcome u Nimble and willing to help u Embracing new home u Knowledge of systems u Family closeness u Culturally diverse and resourceful u Openness to new and diverse ideas u Can leverage existing resources u Knowledge of their own culture u Connected to social and systems networks u Willingness to learn Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Why Partnerships? u Collaboration and working together to solve problems u Bridging the different experiences u Leveraging resources and engaging broadly u Creating new learning and experiences together u Developing and offering voice to issues, innovation or product(s) Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
What kinds of solutions do the Partnerships offer? Settlement support: housing, connecting with essential living resources u Orientations to new systems: schools, health systems, cultural and civic centers, u language learning centers, employment centers Mentoring and mentoring partnership building: u u Academic, school and adult learning mentoring: Literacy, math, computers, conversation clubs and language learning, physical literacy and sports u Relationship building and social networking: mental health, self-esteem & confidence u Employment, entrepreneurship and job seeking transitions: self-sufficiency & dignity u Organization to organization capacity building and coaching u Day to day living and systems’ negotiation Safe communities’ building and civic engagement support u Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
How can partnership be successful? u Developing a shared vision u Broad engagement and first voice u Build on what works and innovate with new approaches u Linking and leveraging resources u Being flexible and adaptable u Embrace uncertainty and creative tension u Be results driven for success Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
What does it mean for children and youth? Inputs Outputs Outcomes Impact 1. Youth 1. Variety of need 1. Strong Inclusive SCOPE OF POSSIBILITIES DESIRED OUTCOMES PROGRAM POSSIBILITIES 1. Significant success SOCIAL IMPACT relations and specific programs Mentoring rates in school networks programs 2. Number of completing and 2. Improved higher education schools served 2. Conversation functional 2. Work readiness conversational 3. Number of staff Circles and increased English and volunteers capacity building 3. Networking engaged 3. Improved Literacy success opportunities 4. Improved social 4. Dosage of 3. Strong integration Sports and program community 5.Success in schools physical activity integration 5. Length of and increased program 4. Strong sense of 4. Free Access graduation positive identity and for children 6. More Cultural belonging mentors Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
A Solution 1. Reach out and connect with families 2. Learn about the culture(s), find cultural brokers, and continue to inform ourselves to bridge the cultural understandings 3. Create and offer safe welcoming environments 4. Reach out to schools, principals, teachers and support staff 5. Reach out to other stakeholders and potential partners 6. Develop collaboratively designed, engaging support programs drawing on the learnings of immigrants Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Educational Learning options u After school home work help, recreation and sporting activities u Safe spaces for children and youth after school care u In-school settlement work: Newcomer Orientations u In-school mentoring, Corporate mentoring u Community based language learning classes u Community based 1:1 relationship and life skills mentoring u Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters: out of and in-school programs u Summer, Spring and other Holiday Programs u Community Winter Activity Programs u Field trips and know-your environment excursions u Alberta Mentoring Partnerships: Organizational/community capacity building Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Edmonton OST organizations – open participation u Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters u Catholic Social Services, John Humphrey Centre u The Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton u Africa Center, Brander Gardens Rocks, ASSIST , IFSSA and other community organizations u Edmonton Public Library, YMCA, CCEP , Edmonton Immigration Services Association, Centre d’accueil et d’etablissment du nord de l’Alberta u Edmonton Mennonite Center for Newcomers, Welcome Center for Newcomers u Action for Healthy Communities, Multicultural Health Brokers, The Family Centre u School Boards: Francophone, Catholic and Edmonton Public Schools, u REACH Edmonton and City of Edmonton, Alberta Mentoring Partnerships (Province) u Funders Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
How does the community contribute? u Building supportive partnerships: Program supports, funding u Capacity building, staff and volunteer engagement u Program development and service delivery u After school, In-school, Summer and other holiday programs u Fund and resource development u Program Space Acquisition u Advocacy, cultural and systems brokering u Accessibility of city resources: Recreation centers, skating rinks, ski centers, parks, libraries, cultural centers, theaters, museums, health facilities u Organization to organization mentorship Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
What community supports exist and what is possible? u A variety of options based on need, partnership and funding u The community is nimble enough that with funding availability they can collectively and or individually develop and provide support u Responsive, proactive, inclusive non-intrusive welcoming opportunities u A place and a community to belong to u A chance to be a dignified responsible persons Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
EDMONTON 2012 OST Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Resources Faster Alone, Further Together – An Out of School Time strategy for Immigrant u and Refugee Children and Youth in Edmonton, Feb 2010 p 20-21 Making Out-of-School-Time Matter – Evidence for an Action Agenda, 2005. u Rand Education and Rand labor and Population Students from Refugee Backgrounds – A Guide for Teachers and Schools, 2015. u Ministry of Education BC Leave Them Wanting More!: Engaging Youth in Afterschool, May 2015. Harvard u family Research Project Alberta Mentoring Partnerships Resources at albertamentors.ca u FSG (2014), Reimagining Social Change – The Promise of Partnerships u Conversations with other children and youth focused partners over the years u Acumen, Building an Ecosystem of dignity u https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA81Un_UMuk&t=1992s u Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
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