ERIC Number: EJ1145680
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2377-9187
EISSN: N/A
"We Created That Space with Everybody:" Constructing a Community-Based Space of Belonging and "Familia" in a Latina/o Youth Group
Ventura, Julissa
Association of Mexican American Educators Journal, v11 n1 p23-37 2017
As the Latino population grows across the United States and particularly in places outside traditional gateway cities, questions arise around the challenges and opportunities for Latinos in these new areas of settlement. Situated within this context of Latino demographic change, this article examines the construction of a youth-led, grassroots Latino youth group in a mid-sized, Midwestern city. Through a community cultural wealth (Yosso, 2005) and social justice development framework (Ginwright & Cammarota, 2002), this article highlights how Latino youth and adult community allies constructed a space of belonging where youth shared their experiences and knowledge. In the group youth built upon their familial and navigational capital and developed self and social awareness. This youth constructed space differed greatly from the schools youth attended. Drawing from a 16-week, ethnographically informed study this article suggests that when youth are given an opportunity to create and lead their own space, they can provide powerful insight and perspective on educational issues. The findings from this study have implications for educators, youth workers, and policymakers looking for ways to build more engaging, culturally-relevant classrooms and programs for Latina/o students.
Descriptors: Hispanic Americans, Youth Programs, Urban Youth, Social Justice, Adults, Ethnography, Participant Observation, Interviews, Sense of Community, Community Programs, Cultural Capital
Association of Mexican American Educators. 634 South Spring Street Suite 908, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Tel: 310-251-6306; Fax: 310-538-4976; e-mail: executivedirector@amae.org; Web site: http://www.amae.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A