Civic Engagement among Proven Risk Youth: Why and How?

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Civic Engagement among Proven Risk Youth: Why and How? Jonathan F. Zaff, Ph.D. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Ph.D. Michelle J. Boyd, M.A. Zenub Kakli, Ph.D. Youth-Nex Conference, October 24, 2011

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Civic Engagement among Proven Risk Youth: Why and How?. Jonathan F. Zaff, Ph.D. Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Ph.D. Michelle J. Boyd, M.A. Zenub Kakli , Ph.D. Youth- Nex Conference, October 24, 2011. CIRCLE analysis of Current Population Survey Data. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Civic Engagement among Proven Risk Youth: Why and How?

Page 1: Civic Engagement among  Proven Risk Youth:  Why and How?

Civic Engagement among Proven Risk Youth:

Why and How?

Jonathan F. Zaff, Ph.D.Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Ph.D.

Michelle J. Boyd, M.A.Zenub Kakli, Ph.D.

Youth-Nex Conference, October 24, 2011

Page 2: Civic Engagement among  Proven Risk Youth:  Why and How?

CIRCLE analysis of Current Population Survey Data

Page 3: Civic Engagement among  Proven Risk Youth:  Why and How?

CIRCLE analysis of Current Population Survey Data

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Volunteer rates (2002-2010) by Educational Attainment

1 2 3 4 50.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

Series1Series2Series3Series4

CIRCLE analysis of Current Population Survey

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Proven Risk Youth

9 Percent of youth (16-19 years-old) are neither in school nor working.

Source: (Kids Count, 2010)

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Approximately 1 million gang members in United States.

Source: (National Gang Intelligence Center, 2008)

Proven Risk Youth

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More than 1.6 million annual delinquency cases

Nearly 93,000 juveniles in residential detention

Source: Puzzanchera, C, Adams, B. & Sickmund, M. (2011) Juvenile Court Statistics 2008. Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice. Sickmund, M., Sladky, T.J., and Kang, W. (2008). Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement Databook. Online. Available: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/cjrp/

Proven Risk Youth

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Why Should We Care?• Solving social and economic problems takes the voice of those

most impacted by these problems (if voice not “heard” then less likely to continue participating).

• History shows that, when opportunities arise, disadvantaged groups have become highly engaged citizens.

• Non-participation can deepen the cycle of civic exclusion.

• Youth is a critical period for civic and political socialization.

• Civic engagement opportunities contribute to youth development overall.

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5 6 7 85

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Civic Engagement Trajectories

Grade

Eng

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Sco

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8 9 10 112

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School Engagement Trajectories

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School and Civic Engagement Dual Trajectories

Low and unstable

Moderate with slight increase

High

Highest with increase

.70% .60% 10.60%

Moderate .60% 15.00% 24.90%

Moderate-low and rising

4.30% 29.10% 1.90%

Lowest and stable

7.60% 4.80% 0.00%

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Local Example – Lowell, MA • The poverty rate among Lowell youth is 24 percent, double

the statewide average.

• Lowell, the 4th largest city in the state, is home to 18,000 young people ages 13 to 23. Approximately one in ten are gang-involved, and there are 25-30 gang sets.

• Lowell has the 9th highest teen birth rate in Massachusetts. • Lowell High School’s (with a population of over 3,500

students) four-year graduation rate ranks in the bottom 10 percent of all high schools in the state.

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• Mission: ignite and nurture the ambition of Lowell’s most disconnected young people to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success.

• Founded in 1999 by young people in response to gang violence in Lowell.

• Currently serves 1,900 youth (mainly 16-23 years-old) through street outreach, intensive programming and events.

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• Focus on intensive programming with 100 youth.– School dropouts AND– Gang involved, criminally involved, and/or homeless

• Providing three years of intensive services:– Case management– Workforce development– Education– Civic engagement/Organizing

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Core outcomes:• Housing Stability • Increased Educational Attainment and Post-Secondary

Readiness• Increased Employability and Financial Health• Ceased Criminal and Gang Activity• Increased Civic Engagement

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Case Study #1• 19 years-old Latino male• Highest grade completed = 8th grade• HS Dropout, Criminal Record, Gang Affiliated

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 140

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Series1

GED = 23 days to completeCivic Part. = 49.5 civic hours

Workforce Development

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Case Study #2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 160

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Series1

• 22 year-old Southeast Asian male• Highest grade completed = 9th grade• HS Dropout, Gang Affiliated

GED = Not yet completed (at 368 days in program)Civic Part. = Not yet substantive participation

Workforce Development

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Case Study #3• 18 year-old Latino male• Highest grade completed = Entered with GED• HS Dropout, Gang Affiliated

GED = N/A (entered with GED)Civic Part. = 371 hours

Workforce Development

First graduate of WFD program!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 160

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