| Summary: | This study examined how group work can provide a culturally-competent, gender and agesensitive
model of social work practice with girls of colour. I developed and implemented
a school-based girls' group program specifically designed to outreach to girls of colour
between thirteen and eighteen years of age. Results from the program demonstrated that
through purposeful efforts to develop collaborative, non-hierarchical relationships, adult
facilitators played a significant role in creating an environment in which girls could speak
about issues that were important to them, including those related to race and culture.
During the group sessions, girls learned about each other and themselves, identified
similarities in their experiences as immigrants to Canada, and created a sense of group
belonging. Similarity in non-dominant cultural status and gender among participants and
facilitators appeared to have contributed to the group's cohesiveness and countered
structural barriers to addressing race and culture. This study highlighted the value of a
group model of practice to provide girls of colour with their own space to freely explore
individual experiences and a vehicle for community organizing. === Arts, Faculty of === Social Work, School of === Graduate
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