Impact

CFU programs positively affect individual participants, entire schools and communities. As our scope has expanded, so too have our evaluation methodologies. Whether invited into a school or a community, the first phase of our engagement includes planning – which entails formal needs assessments, an evaluation of the client’s readiness, pre-attitudinal testing of the kids (followed by post attitudinal testing) and an exhaustive analysis of numerous reporting sources (e.g. school administrators, police community reports, and media coverage). We measure our impact on an on-going basis using a variety of sources:

FIRST – formal assessments by clients and partners

In 1999 Council collaborated with The Boys and Girls Clubs of America implementing its programs in Clubs across the country. Formal evaluations of Council’s programs were conducted and results documented. When schools establish chapters and engage Council, formal plans with detailed goals are developed. Results are detailed via reports focused on 1) school attendance, 2) academic achievement, and, 3) behavioral changes.

SECOND – community reports

Elected officials release precinct figures indicating the flat lining of gang violence in schools utilizing Council’s model.

AND THIRD – the kids’ own stories

Council members share their stories with advisors and Council staff. We listen to these kids as they tell their own stories.

A Sampling of Reports

Excerpt from Outcomes and Successes: Programming for Gang-Involved Youth, Impact of CFU Curriculum in Boys and Girls Clubs

Drastic increases in school attendance among program participants
Improvement in grades, increase in at risk participants going to college
Decrease in violent behavior and gang involvement of program participants
Increase in communication and conflict resolution skills of program participants
Program participants gained and demonstrated leadership skills through the Council for Unity pillar of empowerment. Many became leaders in their chapter and community.
Program participants applied Council communication and relationship-enhancing strategies to improve their relationships with family and community stakeholders.
Program participants demonstrated increasing capacity to tolerate differences between and among peers of different cultures
Program participants demonstrated an increase in social skills and self-confidence

See the full report from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America | See CFU Annual Report | Listen for yourself (Play video)