A Tale of Two Stories: An evaluation of the Caribbean Workers Outreach Program, and a reflexive analysis of the evaluation/research project

Abstract

This thesis tells two paralleled stories: namely, that of a member-informed program evaluation, as well as a critical, reflexive analysis of the researcher’s experience of conducting this investigation. The focus of the research and analysis was an appraisal of the Caribbean Workers Outreach Program (CWOP), a prominent social inclusion initiative to/for Caribbean seasonal agricultural workers in the Niagara region (Ontario, Canada). Still, in light of the academic literature on alternative/ emancipatory epistemologies and methodologies and thus an understanding that knowledge is situated, value-laden, political, and intricately connected to power, the author has overtly written a reflexive practice into this thesis too. In summary, the qualitative data arising from the member-informed program evaluation revealed support for the importance of social inclusion efforts for seasonal agricultural workers, as well as specifically highlighted some of the greatest strengths and challenges facing CWOP (as a case-study), along with targeted recommendations for future improvements.