Leveraging Community-Based Nonprofit Organizations as Sites of Inclusion and Advocacy for English Learners

• In Event: 28.089 - MTCC Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 28.089-3 - Shifting Partnerships and Priorities for Organizing

Abstract

This study documents the ways in which one community non-profit organization in North Carolina supports the growth and development of newly arrived immigrants from Southeast Asia, Central America, and Africa. Specifically, it explores the self-concept (self-efficacy and self-esteem) and behavior of 119 English Learners (ELs) who participated in an after school program that focuses on inclusion and advocacy of immigrant children. Student survey data collected over two points in time were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to highlight effect changes over time. Qualitative results show how this community-based organization served as a critical social space for immigrants, helped them build networks, access resources, and affirmed their self-identity.

Authors

• Lan Quach Kolano, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Chuang Wang, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Kathryn Wagner, University of North Carolina - Charlotte