Children and youth who have immigrated to Canada often feel torn between the culture of their new country and that of their family. We work with a number of youth who feel that they cannot fit into Canadian culture, and yet cannot understand the culture of their parents. Without a sense of belonging in either community, these young people feel isolated and can engage in problematic behavior that puts themselves at risk.
AFRO’s objective is to increase the resilience of these young people by strengthening their ties to their cultures and communities. By feeling connected to their families and their heritage, these young people can feel more emotionally prepared to deal with the struggles they may face while integrating into the wider Canadian community. Learning about their own cultures will help these young people better understand how they relate to their parents, their community, and to Canada, and can help them build the confidence they need to overcome the isolation and cultural challenges they face.