Fostering Better Integration Through Youth-Led Refugee Sponsorship

Authors

  • Carolyn McKee World University Service of Canada
  • Lee-Anne Lavell World University Service of Canada http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8920-6915
  • Michelle Manks World University Service of Canada
  • Ashley Korn World University Service of Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7202/1064821ar

Keywords:

World University Service of Canada, WUSC, holistic integration model, resettlement, youth-to-youth, post-secondary students, student refugee program, refugee sponsorship

Abstract

Abstract
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) participates in private sponsorship as a sponsorship agreement holder through its Student Refugee Program. More than ninety campus-based constituent groups known as WUSC Local Committees resettle approximately 130 refugee students to Canadian post-secondary institutions each year. This article seeks to assess the effectiveness of the Student Refugee Program’s youth-to-youth sponsorship model in integrating former refugees into their receiving communities. We outline the impact of the Student Refugee Program upon its beneficiaries, the important role youth volunteers play in supporting their integration and building more welcoming communities for newcomers in Canada, and the effect of the program on receiving societies. We conclude with recommendations for scaling up the program in Canada and sharing the model internationally.

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Author Biographies

Carolyn McKee, World University Service of Canada

Carolyn McKee is a program officer, Student Refugee Program & Campus Engagement at the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). She can be reached at cmckee@wusc.ca.

Lee-Anne Lavell, World University Service of Canada

Lee-Anne Lavell is the former Coordinator for the Student Refugee Program in Canada at the World University Service of Canada.

Michelle Manks, World University Service of Canada

Michelle Manks is the senior manager, Durable Solutions for Refugees at the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). She can be reached at mmanks@wusc.ca.

Ashley Korn, World University Service of Canada

Ashley Korn is the manager, Student Refugee Program & Campus Engagement at the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). She can be reached at akorn@wusc.ca.

Published

2019-06-05

How to Cite

McKee, C., Lavell, L.-A., Manks, M., & Korn, A. (2019). Fostering Better Integration Through Youth-Led Refugee Sponsorship. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 35(2), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.7202/1064821ar

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