Building Relationships with Families and Communities.
A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO EDUCATE A CHILDDr. 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
Model
Partner
Expectation
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D Adapted from FSG: The Promise of Partnerships – Multi-stakeholder partnership typology page 2
Address a defined Problem Address a Systemic ChallengeJo
int
Proj
ect Short-term, one
time collaborative effort among a small set of partners, often to develop or pilot an innovative product or approach
Join
t Pr
ogra
m Collaboration among a small set of partners to implement a program to address a specific aspect of a social problem
Stra
tegi
c Al
lianc
e Platform for ongoing collaboration around one or more related issues, aligning partners (typically >5) in support of a common agenda and joint investments
Colle
ctiv
e Im
pact Initiative based
on long term commitments to a common agenda by the group of cross-sector actors needed to realize systems-wide change around a social problem
Requires contributions from individual organizations to a joint effort – short term (< 10 years) and oriented around specific grants
May require changes to organizations’ core activities to align with the common agenda –medium to long-term >10 years and not defined by specific grants
The Issue: Challenging measures for challenging times
SocialChallenge:Howdowereachoutandsupporttheintegrationandre-buildingoflives?
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Integration in Ecosystems
Building Networks
within systemsBuilding
Partnerships with Families
& communities
Families and
children
Parallel but not equal challengesChallenges faced by immigrant families
u Often language barrier
u Low income and decent living resources – lack of immediate employment
u Systems understanding
u Cross-cultural understanding
u Identity renegotiation
u Loss, isolation and associated consequences
Challenges faced by new home communitiesu Language and communication
u Limited resources
u Time lag in learning and responding to needs
u Cross-cultural learning and understanding
u Re-negotiating a different identity
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Parallel and complementary assets and strengths
Assets and strengths within immigrant/refugee families
u Resilience
u Determination to overcome
u Embracing new home
u Family closeness
u Openness to new and diverse ideas
u Knowledge of their own culture
u Willingness to learn
Assets and strengths within welcoming communities
u Adaptable and open minded
u Nimble and willing to help
u Knowledge of systems
u Culturally diverse and resourceful
u Can leverage existing resources
u Connected to social and systems networks
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Why Partnerships?
uCollaboration and working together to solve problems
uBridging the different experiencesuLeveraging resources and engaging broadly
uCreating new learning and experiences together
uDeveloping and offering voice to issues, innovation or product(s)
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
What kinds of solutions do the Partnerships offer?
u Settlement support: housing, connecting with essential living resources
u Orientations to new systems: schools, health systems, cultural and civic centers, language learning centers, employment centers
u Mentoring and mentoring partnership building:
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
u Safe communities’ building and civic engagement support
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?
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Inputs Outputs Outcomes Impact
PRO
GRA
M P
OSS
IBIL
ITIE
S 1. Youth Mentoring programs2. Conversation Circles3. Networking opportunitiesSports and physical activity4. Free Access for children
SCO
PE O
F PO
SSIB
ILIT
IES 1. Variety of need specific programs2. Number of schools served3. Number of staff and volunteers engaged4. Dosage of program5. Length of program
DES
IRED
OU
TCO
MES 1. Strong Inclusive
relations and networks2. Improved functional conversational English3. Improved Literacy4. Improved social integration5.Success in schools and increased graduation6. More Cultural mentors
SOCI
AL IM
PACT 1. Significant success
rates in school completing and higher education2. Work readiness and increased capacity building success3. Strong
community integration4. Strong sense of positive identity and belonging
A Solution1. Reachoutandconnectwithfamilies2. Learnabouttheculture(s),findculturalbrokers,andcontinuetoinformourselvestobridgetheculturalunderstandings
3. Createandoffersafewelcomingenvironments4. Reachouttoschools,principals,teachersandsupportstaff5. Reachouttootherstakeholdersandpotentialpartners6. Developcollaborativelydesigned,engagingsupportprogramsdrawingonthelearningsofimmigrants
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
Educational Learning optionsu 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 participationu 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 FundersSentsetsa 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
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D
EDMONTON OST
2012
Resourcesu Faster Alone, Further Together – An Out of School Time strategy for Immigrant
and Refugee Children and Youth in Edmonton, Feb 2010 p 20-21
u Making Out-of-School-Time Matter – Evidence for an Action Agenda, 2005. Rand Education and Rand labor and Population
u Students from Refugee Backgrounds – A Guide for Teachers and Schools, 2015. Ministry of Education BC
u Leave Them Wanting More!: Engaging Youth in Afterschool, May 2015. Harvard family Research Project
u 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
Sentsetsa M. Pilane Ph D