Building relationships and facilitating immigrant community integration: An evaluation of a Cultural Navigator Program

Thomas, Rebecca L.; Chiarelli-Helminiak, Christina M.; Ferraj, Brunilda; Barrette, Kyle

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2015.11.003

Cited by 26 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Some communities have actively developed strategies to welcome and integrate immigrants [2,22] such as by addressing government and leadership structures, enhancing educational systems and opportunities, fostering economic development, and ensuring equitable access to resources and information [23]. Previous research has documented that integration, the mixing of cultures and experiences, is the foundation for building community cohesion, fostering social networks, and improving newcomers' knowledge of and access to resources, information, and services [21,24,25]. Unfortunately, sparse research exists on the integration of Hispanic newcomers to non-metropolitan areas [8,19], and few studies have examined the successful adaptation of Hispanics in rural communities in the United States [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sense of community, participation, and life satisfaction among Hispanic immigrants in rural Nebraska

Ramos¹,

Suarez²,

Leon³

et al. 2017

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The influx of Hispanic immigrants into rural areas of the United States has created demographic, economic, and social change within communities. Sense of community, a psychological construct that includes membership, influence, fulfilment of needs, and a shared emotional connection between community members, is a vital element in assessing the integration of immigrants into a community. This study used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design to describe and examine sense of community, community participation, and life satisfaction among Hispanic immigrants from two communities in rural Nebraska (N = 180 survey participants; N = 53 focus groups participants). The results indicated that participants felt a sense of community. Sense of community was significantly positively correlated with community participation, r = 0.29, p < 0.01, and life satisfaction, r = 0.31, p < 0.01. Participants identified that being part of the community was more than just sharing a geographic space. It encompassed a feeling of belonging, unity, and acceptance as well as a willingness to help others and participate. Respondents had participated in their communities by volunteering, donating to community organizations, talking to others about community issues, and participating in associations. The vast majority of participants were satisfied with their lives. Using linear regression, sense of community was found to be a significant predictor of both community participation, R 2 = 0.37, F(6, 168) = 16.45, p = 0.000, and life satisfaction, R 2 = 0.13, F(6, 168) = 4.00, p = 0.001. Implications of improving social well-being among rural Hispanic immigrants in the United States are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sense of community, participation, and life satisfaction among Hispanic immigrants in rural Nebraska

Ramos¹,

Suarez²,

Leon³

et al. 2017

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“…Education is a way for refugees to become integrated in a new culture and is a process involving social inclusion through which they become Baccepted in a society^ (Thomas et al 2015). Shared community spaces, such as schools, provide an opportunity for refugee children to meet other children and begin to form identities in the new culture (Thomas et al 2015). Schools are a key institution in the provision of quality education and opportunities for social inclusion for children, families, and communities to work together.…”

Section: Social Inclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This relationship is mutual with the cultural navigator and refugee learning about each other's culture, norms, and expectations. For further details of the Cultural Navigator Program, see Thomas et al 2015. In 2013, community dialogs in one Hartford neighborhood highlighted the need to increase opportunities for residents to gather, share ideas, and collectively solve problems. The Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association (ANHA), one of Hartford's Neighborhood Revitalization Zones, formed a welcoming committee in partnership with the Hartford Public Library.…”

Section: Hartford's Strategies Toward Education and Social Inclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Right to Quality Education for Refugee Children Through Social Inclusion

Thomas

2016

J. Hum. Rights Soc. Work

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The number of refugees worldwide has increased exponentially in recent years, and children represent more than half of the refugee population. The needs of refugee children are complex. Many have traumatic experiences and disrupted education, and are then tasked with adapting to a new culture. The literature emphasizes the importance of education in determining the future of young refugees and its potential to transform lives for those who have access to it. This article will focus on the right to education and social inclusion of refugee children in the school system from a human rights perspective. The author proposes that schools play a critical role in helping refugee children find some sense of safety and helping maximize their learning potential. This human rights and social inclusion approach requires active participation from government, school administration, the ESL and mainstream teachers, the social workers, students and their parents, refugee students and their parents, and the community to partner together to create an environment for active learning and socialization for productive citizenry in the USA. The author maintains that social work is in a unique position and suggests strategies that facilitate a broader effort toward social inclusion which is vital to the well-being of refugee children and allows them to become an integral part of society.

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“…It was further indicated that timely adjustments to new culture may be due to familiarities in food and ingredients that facilitate modification. Thomas et al, (2016) shows that food/diet serves as a strategy to integrate into a new environment and culture. This is also true for immigrants in Korea, as it is confronted with the increase in the number of immigrants particularly from developing countries where it was 6,409 in 1987, 700,000 in 2011 and 1.8 million in 2015 (MacroTrends, 2019;Torneo, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Migration on the Eating Habit and Physical Activity Patterns among Saudi Students living in South Korea

Hakim¹

2020

GJHS

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This study investigates the effect of migration on eating habits and physical activity patterns of Saudi migrants living in South Korea. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and an online survey was prepared to assess participants’ demographic details, including; eating habits and physical activity pattern compared to pre-migration among 198 Saudi students. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi square. Saudi migrant students practice healthy habits such as; low frequency consumption of snacks and regular exercise habits. No significant difference was observed in the number and type of meal taken per day between the participants who lived less than three years in South Korea, in comparison to those who were living for more than three years. A significant increase in excessive exercise among students who lived in South Korea for more than three years in contrast to the students who lived less than three years. Findings suggested that more attention is needed to identify the nutritional need of international students living in South Korea.

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Building relationships and facilitating immigrant community integration: An evaluation of a Cultural Navigator Program

Cited by 26 publications

References 25 publications

Sense of community, participation, and life satisfaction among Hispanic immigrants in rural Nebraska

Sense of community, participation, and life satisfaction among Hispanic immigrants in rural Nebraska

The Right to Quality Education for Refugee Children Through Social Inclusion

Impact of Migration on the Eating Habit and Physical Activity Patterns among Saudi Students living in South Korea

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