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

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

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.

5 6 7 85

7

9

11

13

15

17

19

21

23

Civic Engagement Trajectories

Grade

Eng

agem

ent

Sco

re

8 9 10 112

4

School Engagement Trajectories

Grade

Eng

agem

ent

Sco

re

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

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

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Series1

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

Workforce Development

Case Study #2

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

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

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

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

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

Series1