Youth-adult community partnerships: Student voice and choice in addressing racism

Researchers have documented many benefits of youth engagement, however there is a need for more systematic research on participation in different contexts. This study has investigated how a youth-adult partnership addressed racism within a high school, as well as the experiences of participants during this process. This project was a case study of a school-based, youth-adult partnership consisting of eight (N = 8) participants. Five participants were students in Grades 11 and 12, two were school/school board staff, and one was the author; I directly participated in the partnership as a facilitator. Qualitative data were collected through field notes, interviews and focus groups, and were analyzed using NVivo 11. Findings highlight the benefits of meaningful engagement for the participants, ideal partnership structures and participant roles, as well as the importance of having a dedicated facilitator with specific qualities identified by participants. Based on these findings, best practices are proposed for conducting youth-adult partnerships in school settings

Youth-adult community partnerships: Student voice and choice in addressing racism

Researchers have documented many benefits of youth engagement, however there is a need for more systematic research on participation in different contexts. This study has investigated how a youth-adult partnership addressed racism within a high school, as well as the experiences of participants during this process. This project was a case study of a school-based, youth-adult partnership consisting of eight (N = 8) participants. Five participants were students in Grades 11 and 12, two were school/school board staff, and one was the author; I directly participated in the partnership as a facilitator. Qualitative data were collected through field notes, interviews and focus groups, and were analyzed using NVivo 11. Findings highlight the benefits of meaningful engagement for the participants, ideal partnership structures and participant roles, as well as the importance of having a dedicated facilitator with specific qualities identified by participants. Based on these findings, best practices are proposed for conducting youth-adult partnerships in school settings

Wabanaki Basketmaking Traditions Under Threat? Art, Culture, and the Future of Maine Indian Basketmaking

A panel of award-winning Wabanaki Basketmakers Pamela Outdusis Cunningham, Geo Neptune, Jennifer Neptune and Sarah Sockbeson discuss the importance of the basketmaking tradition for their tribal communities. Each of the artists discuss their approach to basketmaking and its meaning to them and their communities. They also discuss the future of Indian basketmaking in Maine, given the recent arrival of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer, which kills all species of ash trees, including the brown ash, the source materials for Wabanaki Basketry. The panel is moderated by Dr. Darren Ranco, Chair of Native American Programs at the University of Maine

The COVID-19 Crisis: Using the Cracks in Neoliberalism for Social Transformation Towards a More Just Society

Within the current COVID-19 pandemic, cracks observed in neoliberal dominant global economic paradigms reveal how austerity policies have crippled crucial social safety nets, such as health care, with capitalism continuing to adversely impact our climate with ad infinitum extraction of resources for overconsumption. In examining these associations, this collaborative paper critically applies social theories to explore ideas and approaches to creating transformative social change, in an effort to move towards a more just and sustainable society in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other ongoing systemic crises. The paper presents the pandemic as a social crisis and explores theories of social justice and how they might be applied within the context of neoliberal capitalism, also known as neoliberalism. The authors of this paper argue that to move towards a just society, social transformation is needed, informed by the theories of decoloniality and intersectionality. A conceptual model is presented that demonstrates how these theories can be woven together to inform community psychology action and research, addressing COVID-19 specifically. Possibilities for transformation in the areas of mental health and climate justice are also presented. Finally, recommendations for community psychology researchers seeking social transformation, while navigating this challenging and complex new reality, are shared

The COVID-19 Crisis: Using the Cracks in Neoliberalism for Social Transformation Towards a More Just Society

Within the current COVID-19 pandemic, cracks observed in neoliberal dominant global economic paradigms reveal how austerity policies have crippled crucial social safety nets, such as health care, with capitalism continuing to adversely impact our climate with ad infinitum extraction of resources for overconsumption. In examining these associations, this collaborative paper critically applies social theories to explore ideas and approaches to creating transformative social change, in an effort to move towards a more just and sustainable society in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other ongoing systemic crises. The paper presents the pandemic as a social crisis and explores theories of social justice and how they might be applied within the context of neoliberal capitalism, also known as neoliberalism. The authors of this paper argue that to move towards a just society, social transformation is needed, informed by the theories of decoloniality and intersectionality. A conceptual model is presented that demonstrates how these theories can be woven together to inform community psychology action and research, addressing COVID-19 specifically. Possibilities for transformation in the areas of mental health and climate justice are also presented. Finally, recommendations for community psychology researchers seeking social transformation, while navigating this challenging and complex new reality, are shared

Exploring Experiences with Social Inclusion, Food Security and Housing Among People Living with HIV: A Qualitative Analysis

Background: This two-phase study explored the impact of the social determinants of health on people living with HIV (PLWH) in Waterloo Region, Ontario, in partnership with the AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo Area (ACCKWA). Phase 1 explored broader experiences related to social inclusion, food security, and housing. Phase 2 expanded into decision-making and navigating challenges related to these experiences. Methods: Participants were eligible to be a part of the study if they were an ACCKWA service user living with HIV over the age of 18. The samples per phase included 9 and 11 participants, respectively, who participated in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and coded for themes using NVivo software. Results: Each phase supported previous research related to food, transportation, housing, and social challenges. Key themes identified in both phases included challenges related to food, housing, transportation, and social life. Separately, Phase 1 and Phase 2 found themes of resilience and strategic thinking, respectively. Our findings suggested a high prevalence of misinformation related to HIV and the absence of structural resources, forcing PLWH to be resilient, and make decisions about their life and health strategically. Conclusion: Our study suggests that as PLWH demonstrate resilience, society's responsibility to protect disadvantaged populations is diminished. Through the allocation of funding towards food and housing, and educational campaigns, structural support can be established to facilitate the improvement of resources