Pilot Project 2008: A Success!
“I would definitely recommend GP to my peers or other youth form other schools. Those in NY who have very little education could really benefit from the program. People who drop out of school, even though they are more difficult to control, can have a mind-changing experience through GP and will have the experience and knowledge to change their own life.” GP youth, 2008
Youth Demonstrated:
Increased awareness of the value of social entrepreneurship;
Increased access to ongoing educational or training opportunities;
Access to an international network of social entrepreneurs and resources;
Ability to identify community challenges and conceptualize entrepreneurial solutions;
Provision of 12 informational sessions in the community, a total of 3200 hours of voluntary service to address community needs, and dissemination of their learning to at least 600 other youth through presentations;
Upon program completion, at least 100% are engaged in employment, social entrepreneurship, or further education/training;
Communities Demonstrated:
Ability to identify added value of incorporating youth into development solutions;
increased awareness of and tolerance towards socio-economic and ethnic diversity of US youth.
OUTCOME SUMMARY
All 10 participants successfully completed the GP Program.
2 are currently in their 1st year of college.
3 are currently seeking employment with the help of GP staff and will be starting college in Spring 2009.
5 are in their last year of high school, and are applying to college.
All 10 are still involved in the Youth Venture project, Planeta Jeunes Kuai Le
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE MEASURES
Expectations:
88% of GP Participants expectations were met or exceeded.
86% of community members believe that GP’s goals were met
14% believe that GP’s goals were exceeded.
EXPERIENCE:
100% of the surveyed community members describe their experience with GP youth as very positive.
“The group has had a very important impact on our community because we have learned some ways to improve the social conditions of our community. For example, the discussions and trips we have had, the talks, the camp…I hope all of this can continue.”
“We were able to speak about many different topics and aspects of their lives in their own country, and our country and community. We also were able to discuss possible solutions for different issues, like poverty and racial discrimination.”
100% of surveyed community members increased their opinion of American youth.
On average, there was a 40% positive increase in change of opinion (for example, on a scale of 1-10, their opinion went from 4 (less than positive) to 9 (very positive).
“My opinion was that all the US youth were rich and born in the US. I didn’t know that there was such diversity, people from different countries. I thought they were only coming to see our country and community.”
“The youth of the community thought that American youth were very professional and racist. They were embarrased/ashamed to speak with them. After getting to know them, we realized that they were the complete opposite of what we thought. They were not afraid to get to know us, and it was a friendship that was wonderful with the whole group. Now, I have a different opinion of the people of the U.S.”
92% of surveyed community members observed a positive impact on the community during GP’s stay.
Stated positive impacts: GP youth’s ability to integrate in to the community, setting positive examples for local youth through hard work and solidarity, they showed “how to improve social conditions of our community;” positive interactions with the community.
45% of community members increased their belief that youth participation in community development is crucial.
“We had no idea that they could be like they are—hard-working youth. That was what most impacted us.”
“With this phenomenal group, I was able to establish some unforgettable encounters together with them. We were able to speak about many different topics and aspects of their lives in their own country, and our country and community. We also were able to discuss possible solutions for different issues, like poverty and racial discrimination.”
“It was very lovely to share with them this experience. Besides being hard workers, they are very fun, and although some of them don’t speak Spanish, they are very kind. They grew accustomed to us, and us to them.”
55% always considered youth participation to be important. GP’s youth confirmed that belief.
66% of GP Participants describe the relationship between GP and Batey 8 as positive.
“The relationship between GP and the community is positive. One reason is because we made a lot of friends in the community and shared our experiences with each other. We have been helping the community with its projects and they participate in projects that we start. We help each other. At the construction site, many people volunteer to help us and work with us. Likewise, we help the youth group by participating in their meetings and giving our ideas. We’ve also helped with the goat project and taught kids at the Day Camp.”
“Positive, because our presence educates people and rids many of the ignorance and stereotypes.”
“The relationship between GP and the community was positive because we show them that as a group with different backgrounds, we do have differences, different opinions, but we still achieve what we have or what we want to achieve.”
100% of youth would recommend GP to their peers.
“This program is great because you get to see a different side of the world and a different culture. Through this trip I have grown a lot and I think that is exactly what these types of programs do, they give you a time and a period to really find you.”
“Yes, I would definitely recommend GP to my peers or another high school. Another youth who could benefit from the program are kids/youth in NY who have very little education. People who drop out of school, even though they are more difficult to control, can have a mind changing experience through GP and will have the experience and knowledge to change their own life.”
If the youth had not participated in GP’s Summer Program:
55% would have been “hanging out” or “doing nothing”
33% would have been spending their time playing computer/video games
22% would have been drinking or partying.
GP Participant’s self-identified personal improvements:
- of students who felt that their self-esteem improved: 44%
Increased personal development/reflection: 66%
Increased leadership skills: 44%
New skills/capacities: 88%
Increased physical strength: 55%
Increase in belief in importance of community service: 33%
Students felt like the program enabled them to:
Discover personal strengths: 77%
Enjoy life/live in the moment: 44%
Open themselves to learning new things (stepping outside their comfort zone): 55%
Realize that technology isn’t necessary to survive: 55%
Be grateful for what they have: 44%
Care more for others/help others: 44%
After the program, students felt that GP would help their future in the following ways:
College: 55%
Career: 44%
Traveling: 33%
Helping others: 33%
Spanish: 11%
Ability to live away from family/home: 55%
Community needs:
Students were able to identify many community needs that were beyond the scope of GP, including teen pregnancy, jobs, infrastructure (roads, water, electricity, latrines), education, and health (especially of the children).
Based on the needs they saw in the community, all 10 GP Participants were able to identify ways to improve the program with suggestions for next year’s projects.
Less manual labor, more community interaction, work more with youth, work closer with community organizations, small business loans, income generation projects, literacy classes in Spanish, focus on education and health, more community discussions, sports competitions.
66% of GP participants were able to connect their experience of community development work in Batey 8 to how they could improve their communities in Brooklyn.
“Well, I have always looked into what difficulties my community faces and I try to be part of making it better. I do lots of community services and many now that we are creating PJKL it will be looking into the problems in our community and being part of the solution.”
“Living in the problem is a better way to find the solution.”
“I live among them and listen to what they feel that they need. It is better to hear what a community need than to assume.”
“To be part of the solution, I have to express my feelings, share my ideas, and encourage others to listen. In the Batey, people do the community meetings to discuss what challenges the Batey faces and talk about ways to address those issues. The youth group does the same. In NY, just getting people together is a challenge, but once you join community groups, you are being a part of the solution.”
“I will use the life experience here to make change in my own community.”
