New Evidence Review on Mentoring Immigrant and Refugee Youth

Written by Michael Garringer

As part of our ongoing series of reviews on the evidence for specific mentoring models or mentoring various youth populations, the National Mentoring Resource Center is happy to announce the release of Mentoring for First-Generation Immigrant and Refugee Youth authored by Dr. Ashmeet Oberoi of the University of Miami.

This review examines the growing body of evidence suggesting that mentoring programs, and mentors more broadly, can be powerful supports to immigrant and refugee youth and their families. The review concludes that “mentoring programs can serve as a useful form of support for FGIRY [first generation immigrant and refugee youth], facilitating outcomes in the areas of acculturation (both language and behavioral), social integration, and academic performance.” The review also addresses the characteristics of programs and mentors that might moderate the effectiveness of mentoring, as well as the pathways through which mentoring might lead to positive outcomes for youth. An additional “insights for practitioners” section at the end of the review also offers practical guidance for mentoring programs that are serving these children, both intentionally or as part of the general groups of youth served by the program.

Needless to say, the last year has seen the topic of immigration and the integration of refugee populations into Western societies thrust to the forefront of the public consciousness and policy discussions within government. We hope that this new resource supports mentoring programs, policymakers, funders, and others in the successful application of mentoring relationships to the needs of these often vulnerable children and families. All of these groups will find valuable and nuanced information that can guide their work in the review.

You can download the full review in PDF format here: http://www.nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/images/PDF/ImmigrantRefugeeYouth_Population_Review.pdf