CASE STUDY
Empowering Resilience Through GPS for Refugee Support
The journey of resettlement is rarely linear—especially for refugee girls who have experienced the upheaval of war, loss of home, and separation from loved ones. These challenges often come with emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of trauma. While the need for mental health support is urgent, culturally responsive and trauma-informed care is rarely accessible to newly arrived refugees.
In response, GPS Group Peer Support and the 30 Birds Foundation partnered to create a tailored pilot program for Afghan girls resettled in Saskatoon, Canada—many of whom had fled following the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021. Over the course of four weeks in 2023, twenty participants engaged in GPS support groups designed to foster emotional resilience, leadership, and community connection.
The project drew on GPS’s proven model—developed over 15 years and successfully adapted for use across immigrant and refugee communities. At the heart of this effort was a simple but powerful belief: with the right support, we can heal, connect, and lead.
Challenges
Newly resettled Afghan girls face a complex intersection of challenges. Many carry grief, trauma, and uncertainty about their future, while trying to adjust to a new culture and language far from the familiarity of home. Despite their strength and resilience, access to culturally relevant mental health support is limited, especially during the early stages of resettlement.
In some cases, the stigma around emotional expression or discussing mental health adds a layer of silence and shame. Girls may struggle to name or process what they are feeling, and they may have few trusted adults or peers who truly understand.
Compounding this is the lack of formal social support structures. While resettlement agencies provide critical services, few offer ongoing group-based mental health support that centers the lived experience of young refugees. For many participants, this pilot program marked the first time they were invited to speak about their emotions in a safe and welcoming space.
Experience
The GPS model—known for being strengths-based, trauma-informed, and adaptable—was customized for the unique cultural and emotional needs of the 30 Birds community. The four online group sessions were led by trained GPS facilitators, including Afghan immigrants with shared lived experience. The groups were conducted in a way that felt accessible, respectful, and empowering for the girls.
These sessions were not only an introduction to GPS—they were an invitation to build emotional literacy, self-awareness, and connection. Participants explored topics such as:
- Cultural beliefs about emotions and mental health
- Normalizing emotional responses to trauma
- Identifying inner strengths and resilience
- Setting boundaries and practicing self-advocacy
The facilitation incorporated mindfulness, motivational interviewing, peer support, and psychoeducation, all delivered in a compassionate and culturally sensitive way. The girls were supported in developing new language for their experiences and invited to reflect on how they wanted to grow as individuals and as future leaders.
Impact & Transformation
The outcomes of the pilot were clear and inspiring. Post-session evaluations and a final focus group revealed the powerful effect of this short-term engagement:
- 100% of participants said they would recommend GPS groups to others.
- 85% expressed interest in becoming GPS facilitators themselves, demonstrating a desire to lead and support others.
- 79% felt the GPS model addressed their unique needs as Afghan immigrants effectively.
- 93% rated the facilitators’ expertise as “good” or “excellent.”
Beyond the numbers, the emotional and cultural shifts were just as significant. Participants spoke of feeling more connected, less alone, and more empowered to express their feelings. They shared moments of laughter, tears, and solidarity—and many found new language to describe their own resilience.
The program also helped participants reflect critically on cultural norms around emotional expression and decision-making, sparking important dialogue and self-advocacy.
This pilot was more than a support group—it was a starting point for a movement of healing and leadership among the girls of 30 Birds. By bringing GPS Sofreh-eh-del / De Shezo Dester Khwan (“Coming Together of the Heart”) to Saskatoon, GPS helped to create a roadmap for belonging and resilience.
In the absence of easily accessible mental health resources, group-based models like GPS can fill a vital gap. They not only provide emotional relief—they build leadership, break isolation, and spark transformation.
