Adolescence is a challenging developmental period for all young people. For immigrant youth, their experiences are compounded by complex linguistic, acculturative, psychological, and economic difficulties. Rooted in the central premise that immigrant youth are entitled to services that effectively address their settlement needs and promote their full participation in Canadian society, this article critically reviews the selected programs and services for immigrant youth in three Canadian metropolitan centers, namely Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. The findings reveal various shades of patchwork, sidelining and marginalization of immigrant youth in the social services and education arenas. This article calls for a paradigm shift in immigrant youth services from charity-based programming to an entitlement/rights-based model of practice.

Social services Social justice Educational services Immigrant youth

Canada social justice young population Alberta Ontario [Canada] Toronto marginalization Calgary migrants experience paradigm shift British Columbia Vancouver North America immigrant population