CONCLUSION
Quantitative and qualitative evaluation results from recent Parents Beyond Borders groups support the central contention of the ParentShip Program: If immigrant parents in Sunset Park are given the opportunity to build relation- ships and social networks, they will feel an increased sense of self-efficacy and empowerment, while becoming more adept at caring for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our data confirmed our thesis, and we have begun to collect anecdotal data from local teachers who report that the children of our group participants have improved their academic success via higher grades and improved conduct.
Over the course of completing the Parents Beyond Borders curriculum, participants experienced a decrease in acculturation stress and immigration trauma. They deepened their perspectives about their immigration expe- riences and social identities. The members’ hopefulness about their own effectiveness as parents increased and their social networks became better developed. By discussing relevant issues of social justice, group members learned how and where to seek help while gaining a stronger sense of solidarity with one another and their community