Appendix: List of Projects

Examining the Intersection of Immigrants’ Integration/Acculturation and Child Welfare

Project Overview: This research considered how involvement with the child welfare system (CWS) plays a role in the integration and adaptation of those who have immigrated. The purpose of this project was to use multiple perspectives, not only to identify gaps in the child welfare and settlement sectors, but also to explore protective factors. To ascertain how the intersection between immigrants’ acculturation and involvement with child welfare services is experienced, the goals were: To draw on findings of the research and community consultation to inform child welfare practices and protocols that included the voices of racialized groups.

The Research Questions were: What are the perceptions of newcomers about CAS? What are the contributing factors of CAS involvement with newcomer families? How do CAS’ processes/protocol support newcomer families?

In total, 84 people participated, including 11 child welfare workers, 16 settlement workers and 53 members of immigrant communities (i.e., community leaders, concerned parents, and members from the general community), and four parents who had involvement with child welfare.

Examining the Intersection of Immigrant Women’s Acculturation and Mental Health

Project Overview: The purpose was to understand the complexities of Women Immigrants to Hamilton and the intersections of migration, gender and mental health. In recognizing the multiple and intersecting identities of participants, as they were women before they migrated, the term Women Immigrant was used – to not privilege the narrative of immigration as defining identity. The overarching goals of the study were: (a) to contribute to building a healthy, caring and inclusive community that fosters the social and economic integration of Women Immigrants to Hamilton, and: (b) to engage in a formal partnership between McMaster University and community organizations. To achieve these goals, the following objectives were developed to define the area of inquiry: to learn how the intersection between (i) acculturation and integration, (ii) gender relations and intimate partner violence, (iii) intergenerational tensions, (iv) trauma, loss and ongoing political fear, and (v) how economic exclusion impacts mental health.

The research asked: How do migration, acculturation and past traumatic experiences impact the mental health of women immigrant to Hamilton? What are their experiences when accessing services? What support systems are in place/needed?

In total, 77 people participated, including 4 adolescent/adult children, 35 professionals involved in service provision to Women Immigrants (e.g. settlement workers, counsellors, case managers, home visitors, public health nurses and community workers) and 38 Women.

A multi-pronged knowledge mobilization plan was developed to ensure research uptake in the community, including a popular theatre play called “We are not the Others” was developed. The play (re)told stories of the process of becoming the “other” during their journey, due to racism and marginalization. The play was written from the transcripts, to humanize and tell the stories of women in ways and venues where they are often not represented.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zutVAUlC_T4

Intimate Partner Violence in the Diaspora of Hamilton and area

Project Overview: During the data collection for Examining the Intersection of Immigrant Women’s Acculturation and Mental Health participants spoke the complexities of migration and intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence in newcomer communities did not occur because of migration, or culture as it is often discussed from a Western lens. As with all migration experiences, violence exists along the axis of the colonial grid, including accessing services. Resettlement is only one of the contextual factors. Barriers remain for people finding the fabled “better life”. As social work recognizes that this is in part, a result of an immigration system that is based on the white, European migrant, understanding the lived experiences of newcomers is required. For example, people who are racialized in their journey to Canada and coded as newcomers or immigrants often face multiple and added oppressions such as racism, discrimination, and unequal access to services that are reflective of their identities. Similarly, conceptualizations of intimate partner violence are rooted in Canadian, often white, women’s experiences, excluding those who have migrated. This research sought to work with Women Immigrants and their families to un-silence their voices in research. To address the silencing of Women Immigrant’s voices in relation to intimate partner violence the project was developed.

The research asked: how do Women Immigrants make sense of their experiences? How do service providers engage with newcomers and violence? What are the best practice interventions and support services provided?

In total there was 41 people interviewed, 21 service providers and 20 women who had knowledge of intimate partner violence in newcomer communities.

Men’s Integration and Resettlement

Project Overview: The purpose of this project was to contribute to building healthy and inclusive communities by enhancing the mental health of newcomers. Arising out of discussions of gender along the colonial grid with participants’ in Examining the Intersection of Immigrant Women’s Acculturation and Mental Health the Men’s Integration project focused on masculinities in the context of migration. By examining migration through the lens of masculinity, it enhances our understanding of how immigration, acculturation and resettlement is a deeply gendered process and experienced. Further, this research provided insights into how masculinities are (re)constructed during the resettlement process that also racializes people in their journey to Canada. To understanding the range of masculinities the research spoke with men, their partners, and their children.

The research asked: Could you tell me a little bit about your immigration experience? Could you tell me a little bit about your experience in integrating? About experiences accessing services? What have been some of the challenges/successes on the path to integrate to the community?

In total there were 13 interviews, 9 men, 2 partners and 2 children all of which had migrated.

Rights for Children and Youth Partnership: Immigration Dynamics

Project Overview: This project looked at young people’s experiences of migration alone, or with one parent as mediated by their race, identity as a newcomer and age. The study was part of a larger, multi-country research project that was developed to increase knowledge and evidence around the factors that support or hinder the protection of children and youth rights in Central America and the Caribbean, and their diaspora. The research is comprised of six sub-themes,

including immigration dynamics—discussed in this book. Utilizing situated knowledge(s) and

the lived circumstances of those migrating, the goal was to recognize the complexity of power-

differentiated communities in increasingly globalized social spaces to expand the scholarship on

young people on the move. ‘Young people’ was defined as 15- 24 to align with international definitions and statistics for the Government of Canada. This theme focused on young people’s experience of violence in Central America and the Caribbean as a driver for migration and how they made sense of this within the diaspora.

In total, 52 people participated. 24 were young people who migrated alone, 8 were parents who had migrated with their children, 7 were service providers (including clergy, lawyers, advocates, educators and social workers) and 13 were members of the Central American and caribbean diaspora.

The research asked: What are the shifts in migration discourses informing Canada’s reception to young people from Central America fleeing alone? What are young people’s perspectives on their own migration and the realities that they face?