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We Belong - A How-to Guide: Improving Access to Physical Activity Programs for Newcomer Youth
Author: PHE Canada
$34.95 CAD
This guide shares practical ways to enhance the experiences of young newcomers in physical activity settings by supporting facilitators in creating culturally responsive programs that are inclusive of all and fostering assets in participants using the asset-based community development approach.
After school physical activity programs should create welcoming environments, encourage cultural respect, and promote the benefits of physical activity and positive social cohesion for newcomer Canadian children and youth.
We Belong uses an Asset-Based Community Development approach to support facilitators of after school physical activity programs to engage newcomer Canadian children and youth and foster belonging and community.
Youth who immigrate to Canada are 40% less likely to meet physical activity guidelines within the first 1–2 years of immigration (Kukaswadia, Pickett, & Janssen, 2014).
The purpose of the We Belong: A How-To Guide is to share practical ways to enhance the experiences of newcomer youth in physical activity settings.
The Guide:
- supports facilitators in fostering developmental assets in participants to increase the likeliness that youth will make good choices in the program and in life;
- provides background information on how being active supports healthy development in youth;
- includes information on Asset-Based Community Development; and
- suggests how facilitators can incorporate these concepts into their programming.
The guide includes five sections for developing quality programming using an Asset-Based Community Development approach:
- Introduction - provides an overview, key definitions and sets the context for program development
- Planning Phase - includes sections on religious and cultural considerations, family and parental influences, adaptations and modifications, safety and addressing other barriers
- Implementation Phase - focuses on appropriate communication strategies and participant guidelines
- Evaluation Phase - provides information on various evaluation tools and details to consider at the end of the program
- Appendices - includes a variety of information on building developmental assets, worksheets for program planning, case studies and sample permission and evaluation forms
Audience
Individuals facilitating physical activity experiences for young newcomers in Canada
