Part 4 of Charting New Paths: Understanding and Support for Migrant and Undocumented Youth, May 2024
Charting New Paths: Cultural Humility with Awareness and Empowerment
Welcome to the final part of our toolkit, Charting New Paths: Understanding and Support for Migrant and Undocumented Youth. Our last module focused on the importance of approaching our work with cultural humility, rather than attempting to reach cultural competence.
Cultural humility is rooted in respect for other people and the different ways we view the world. Supporting a culturally humble practice in our programs requires that:
- We have a process for awareness building to explore and learn about different cultures, and
- Staff are empowered with appropriate tools and strategies to support the unique needs of migrant youth.
Awareness building is an ongoing process.
The awareness building process happens at the direct/relational, cultural, and structural levels of our organizations.
- Direct/relational awareness builds understanding of individual strengths, experiences, and needs. Invest in your understanding of trauma responsive approaches and expand your "not knowing." Consider these online courses:
- We build cultural awareness through opportunities to come together and share cultural traditions. This toolkit on Building Relationships with People from Different Cultures may provide ideas for your program community.
- Structural awareness illuminates of how our hiring practices, eligibility criteria for programs, and funding sources include or exclude the experiences of migrant and undocumented youth. Take inspiration from this blueprint from the American Bar Association.
Appropriate tools empower appropriate support.
The stakes are often high for migrant and undocumented youth, so it is critical that you are equipped with knowledge and resources specific to their needs.
- These red cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in various situations, including interactions with ICE and law enforcement.
- Get familiar with worker rights and labor laws that protect everyone who works in the United States, including children and teens.
- Use services like FindHelp.org to find free or low-cost social services in your area, including ESL classes, vocational schools, traditional school/GED programs, and financial planning resources.
- It is illegal to provide immigration legal advice if you are not an attorney or an accredited representative.
Explore
Consider blocking in 15 minutes to click through and explore the resources above. Identify one or two that are most relevant to your role and/or resources that are worth sharing with your team.
This toolkit was released as a newsletter series in May 2024. Learn more about new training and funding opportunities, news and policy updates, and how we can collectively strengthen outcomes for youth and young adults. Sign up for our newsletter to get this series and more delivered straight to your inbox.
Photo: Kim Rossi on Flickr.com
