Youth in power: a mixed-methods evaluation of an experiential youth engagement program in a socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse community

While all young people can face mental health challenges, culturally diverse youth experience additional stress related to acculturation, discrimination and racism. The effectiveness of experiential programs in engaging diverse youth and facilitating peer-scaffolded learning remains underexplored. Informed by Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, this article evaluates the Youth in Power Program (YIPP), a pilot youth engagement initiative combining adventure-based group activities with mentoring. Using a mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative outcome measures with interviews, focus groups andobservations to examine program processes and impacts. The analysis revealed significant improvements in hopefulness, confidence, resilience, social connections, mental health, school engagement and leadership skills. Relational, empowering, youth-centred and culturally safe practices created a context in which diverse young people could learn with and from each other, supported by trusted mentors. The findings provide new insights into how culturally responsive experiential programs can promote peer-scaffolded learning and facilitate positive developmental outcomes for diverse youth.