Civic Engagement among Proven Risk Youth: Why and How?
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Transcript of 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
CIRCLE analysis of Current Population Survey Data
CIRCLE analysis of Current Population Survey Data
Volunteer rates (2002-2010) by Educational Attainment
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CIRCLE analysis of Current Population Survey
Proven Risk Youth
9 Percent of youth (16-19 years-old) are neither in school nor working.
Source: (Kids Count, 2010)
Approximately 1 million gang members in United States.
Source: (National Gang Intelligence Center, 2008)
Proven Risk Youth
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
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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Civic Engagement Trajectories
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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%
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.
• 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.
• 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
Core outcomes:• Housing Stability • Increased Educational Attainment and Post-Secondary
Readiness• Increased Employability and Financial Health• Ceased Criminal and Gang Activity• Increased Civic Engagement
Case Study #1• 19 years-old Latino male• Highest grade completed = 8th grade• HS Dropout, Criminal Record, Gang Affiliated
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GED = 23 days to completeCivic Part. = 49.5 civic hours
Workforce Development
Case Study #2
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• 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
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!
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