Making a Change! Exploring Refugee Youth's Civic Engagement in Out-of-School Programs to Cultivate Critical Consciousness.

This article examines refugee youth’s motivation and engagement in civic activities within out-of-school time (OST) programs in Chicago, Illinois, using a critical consciousness (CC) framework. Through interviews with 15 refugee high school students from Syria, Iraq, Myanmar/Burma, and South Sudan, the study finds that youth are motivated by a sense of duty to advocate for refugee rights and to counter xenophobia, while also building community connections with peers and mentors. Engagement in OST civic programs, such as leadership academies and Know Your Rights trainings, fosters critical reflection on social injustices, critical motivation to enact change, and critical action through activism and community involvement. The study recommends that schools and community organizations expand civic education and engagement opportunities for refugee youth to support their social integration and empowerment. Limitations include the small, localized sample, suggesting a need for further research on barriers to civic participation among diverse refugee populations.