Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2016

Abstract

Despite the United States’ long history of immigration, large and small communities around the country struggle to integrate newcomers into the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres of society. Utilizing results from the program evaluation of one public library’s Cultural Navigator Program (CNP), the authors illustrate how communities and public institutions can promote integration and relationship building between newly arrived immigrants and long-time residents. Existing social networks, conceptualized in this article as social capital, within receiving communities were leveraged to build capacity among newly arrived immigrants and foster inclusivity and integration at the community level. As a place of intervention, public libraries are suggested as a safe and shared space where community integration can be fostered. The program model is provided as an approach to immigrant community integration. Insights derived from the evaluation inform a discussion on engaging approaches to immigrant integration. The CNP utilized community networks to deliberately and systematically facilitate integration and relationship building between newly arrived immigrants and community members. Lessons learned and recommendations for program evaluators and administrators are provided.

Publication Title

Evaluation and Program Planning

ISSN

0149-7189

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

55

First Page

77

Last Page

84

DOI

10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2015.11.003

Comments

Version uploaded to Digital Commons @ West Chester University is a post-print.

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

COinS