139
Youth showed statistically significant growth
across all four required survey items related to
self-confidence, community connectedness, and
goal orientation. A larger proportion of youth
reported increases in feeling part of a community,
with about half progressing to a higher category
on the scale (“more agreement”) and a quarter
advancing from disagreement to agreement
(Fig. 10.6).
Among the optional items (administered
in 8–10 of the programs), a statistically significant change in youth’s agreement was in
all but one item. Of particular note, 40–50%
of youth perceived growth on the following
items, with about a quarter going from
strongly disagree/disagree to strongly agree/
agree:
• I have the skills and experiences needed to be
a mentor for other youth.
• I feel comfortable speaking in front of a group
of people.
• I know what I can do to help make the community a better place.
While less than 10% of youth indicated
growth on the following four items, 90% or
more of the youth initially agreed with these
statements. This may indicate that the youth
already perceived themselves as strong in those
areas when they began their involvement with
the YSE program:
• I think it is important to listen to and value the
opinions of others.
• I believe young people can make a difference
in the community.
• There are people in my life I can depend on
when I need help.
• I am willing to stand up for what is right.
10.10 Key Learning Which May
Influence How Common
Indicators Are Placed upon
Youth-Serving Nonprofits
in American Cities
Changing the system of employment with youth
while also imposing common indicators on organizations that may or may not have an existing data
or analysis system can be daunting. This study tried
to resolve some of these disconnects. Stumbling
blocks included (1) significant turnover, often one,
two, or three staff members every 18 months on the
internal team; (2) the inexperience of program staff
working with indicators to be used for public analysis and reporting; and (3) the lack of infrastructure
to convert conversation into real data collection.
10.10.1 Key Overall Findings
YSE programs serve diverse youth. The youth
served by the YSE programs were racially and
ethnically diverse with an equal mix of young
men and young women ranging in age from 13 to
24 (average age 16). Over half were identified as
Black, African American, or African (54%).
Youth gained proficiency in work readiness
skills. Overall, after 30 or more days of programming, staff observed growth in 11 of 12 work readiness skills measured (all except “attendance”).
Youth perceived growth in their own socialemotional skills and personal agency. On the Youth
Retrospective Survey, up to a third of the youth perceived improvement in their social- emotional skills.
Youth rating their own skills at the beginning and end
of programming reflected statistically significant
growth in feeling part of their community, feeling
confident, having an adult to talk to about problems,
and having future goals for themselves.
10 How the Youth Social Entrepreneurship (YSE) Model Supports Implementation...
Youth showed statistically significant growth
across all four required survey items related to
self-confidence, community connectedness, and
goal orientation. A larger proportion of youth
reported increases in feeling part of a community,
with about half progressing to a higher category
on the scale (“more agreement”) and a quarter
advancing from disagreement to agreement
(Fig. 10.6).
Among the optional items (administered
in 8–10 of the programs), a statistically significant change in youth’s agreement was in
all but one item. Of particular note, 40–50%
of youth perceived growth on the following
items, with about a quarter going from
strongly disagree/disagree to strongly agree/
agree:
• I have the skills and experiences needed to be
a mentor for other youth.
• I feel comfortable speaking in front of a group
of people.
• I know what I can do to help make the community a better place.
While less than 10% of youth indicated
growth on the following four items, 90% or
more of the youth initially agreed with these
statements. This may indicate that the youth
already perceived themselves as strong in those
areas when they began their involvement with
the YSE program:
• I think it is important to listen to and value the
opinions of others.
• I believe young people can make a difference
in the community.
• There are people in my life I can depend on
when I need help.
• I am willing to stand up for what is right.
10.10 Key Learning Which May
Influence How Common
Indicators Are Placed upon
Youth-Serving Nonprofits
in American Cities
Changing the system of employment with youth
while also imposing common indicators on organizations that may or may not have an existing data
or analysis system can be daunting. This study tried
to resolve some of these disconnects. Stumbling
blocks included (1) significant turnover, often one,
two, or three staff members every 18 months on the
internal team; (2) the inexperience of program staff
working with indicators to be used for public analysis and reporting; and (3) the lack of infrastructure
to convert conversation into real data collection.
10.10.1 Key Overall Findings
YSE programs serve diverse youth. The youth
served by the YSE programs were racially and
ethnically diverse with an equal mix of young
men and young women ranging in age from 13 to
24 (average age 16). Over half were identified as
Black, African American, or African (54%).
Youth gained proficiency in work readiness
skills. Overall, after 30 or more days of programming, staff observed growth in 11 of 12 work readiness skills measured (all except “attendance”).
Youth perceived growth in their own socialemotional skills and personal agency. On the Youth
Retrospective Survey, up to a third of the youth perceived improvement in their social- emotional skills.
Youth rating their own skills at the beginning and end
of programming reflected statistically significant
growth in feeling part of their community, feeling
confident, having an adult to talk to about problems,
and having future goals for themselves.
10 How the Youth Social Entrepreneurship (YSE) Model Supports Implementation...