Evaluation of An Assets-Based Youth Development Program Designed to Provide Underprivileged Youth with Educational and Employment Resources

Abstract

This study was an evaluation of a 4-H Youth DevelopmentProgram that provided a series of weekend camps and a weeklong summer camp to underprivileged youth. This programattempted to provide the youth with additional knowledge, skills, and aspirations necessary for a successful educational and employment future. This program took place in Carteret County, NC. The major purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether or not the youths' knowledge, skills, and aspirations increased due to their participation in this program; and (2) to provide recommendations for the program so that the program may increase its effectiveness and possibly be replicated by other counties in North Carolina. A case study research design was used to gather data for this evaluation, with a variety of different data collected from program staff, local schools, parents and guardians of the program participants, and the participants themselves. Surveys, pre- and post-tests, interviews, and observations were the tools used to collect the data. A control group of inactive participants (who had rarely attended program activities) was used as a comparison for the group of youth that were active program participants. An analysis of the data determined if any trends or patterns existed that supported the program's objectives of increasing the youth's knowledge, skills, and aspirations. The major findings of this study were that: (1) the program, while providing some benefits to the children in terms of support and relationship-building, did not completely achieve its objectives; and (2) a number of recommendations, including increased family involvement in the program, could help to improve and possibly achieve the program's initial objectives.