Evaluating the Ecological Impact of a Youth Program

Abstract

Youth are the weakest population within the workforce and long-term unemployment leaves them unable to develop work skills, reaches into their future prospects, and can weaken the economy, education systems, and overall social structure. Through ecological qualitative methodology, the reported research gathered in-depth accounts of experiences of ten urban youth who participated in a federally-funded Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). To develop an understanding of aspects of the youth’s lives, individual interviews were conducted and ecomaps were completed with participants. Personal narratives support the premises that documenting the ecosystems of individuals provides insights into daily lives, histories, and lived experiences in a way that provides a window into how services and prevention efforts can be targeted. Results concluded that for these participants, the SYEP made a difference in their lives in terms of helping them make connections to positive role models, learning workplace communication, and providing an entrance into the workforce on varying levels consistent with their barriers. This research can be applied to inform practitioners, teachers, and decision makers with a better understanding of the social, emotional, educational, and workforce realities of adolescents. The research advances the conversation about federally funded youth employment programs creating opportunities for marginalized youth to learn skills for succeeding in the mainstream economy.

Using an Ecomap as a Tool for Qualitative Data Collection in Organizations

“…People develop within these intertwined organizational, community, home, and personal settings that are joined formally and informally to create a system or ecology in which they are shaped and, in turn, can influence (Bronfenbrenner, 1951(Bronfenbrenner, , 1979. Institutions, such as schools and colleges, organizations, workplace environments and social agencies can utilize human resource development professionals, who have an ability to either hinder or guide adults toward a meaningful understanding of life within these formal and informal systems or networks (Grant, 2011;Stanton-Salazar, 1997. Using Bronfenbrenner's conceptual framework provides a means for interpreting or making sense of how people interact and develop within socially constructed environments (ecologies), institutions, agencies, the workplace, with peers, or in other formal and informal arrangements.…”

“…The act of being interviewed and being allowed to share this information with a supportive interviewer can change an individual's attitude toward work and learning, especially an individual who trying to change or who has had mostly negative experiences with adults or employees. The data collection process can be a rapport building exercise and a positive interaction (Grant, 2011).…”

“…As we become more aware of the complexity of the modern age, employers and educators of adults realize that no one person can easily have the complete answer. The work and leaning environments are becoming more and more a collaborative process where employees and learners, with their different perspectives, can join other employees and learners to solve complex and interrelated issues (Grant, 2011;Holmes, 2014;Raelin, 2006). The development of an ecomap as a data collection tool or device used in work and learning environments in collaboration with other professionals, such as psychologists or social services within the community setting, can be a way to improve a workplace or learning culture, improve satisfaction, and create a sense of belonging by recognizing employees and learners as individuals and their need for a meaningful life and career balance (Bowan, 2000;Bradley-Levin, Perkins, & Romano, 2010;Rose, Beh, Uli, & Idris, 2010).…”

Positive youth development programs build civically engaged leaders

“…The study was conducted through individual interviews using a general interview guide approach. This included a series of open-ended questions formed prior to the interviews being asked of each participant in order to encourage the participant's own narratives, while also allowing for the researcher to follow-up with questions to expand on initial responses (Grant, Bennett, & Crawford, 2016). According to Turner (2010), the general interview guide approach is more structured than an informal conversational interview, but still allows for flexibility in its question composition and ensures more consistent information collection from each interviewee.…”

“…Interviews were in-depth, lasting approximately 60-90 minutes to adequately capture the perceptions, attitudes, and emotions of the interview participants Grant, Bennett, & Crawford, 2016). Thirteen out of the fourteen interviews were conducted via Zoom, an internet based video conferencing system; one interview was conducted in person at the participant's place of work.…”