Barriers to Wellness:Insights from a Youth-led Community-Based

Participatory Research Study

Tuesday, January 24, 2017 4 p.m. - 5p.m. EST

#SAFEPLACES#BARRIERS2WELLNESS

2

Craig McClayYouth Engagement Advisor

Center for Promise – Boston University School of Education

AGENDA

3

•• WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

• OVERVIEW AND REPORT FINDINGS– Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, BU School of Social Work

• LEADING AND LEARNING: YOUTH SHARE EXPERIENCES FROM THE FIELD– Jamorris Patterson, Boston Research Team

• PARTNERING WITH YOUTH: AN ORGANIZATION’S PERSPECTIV– Jennifer Whistler, Education Coordinator, JEVS Human Services, Philadelphia partner

site

• QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

• CLOSING REMARKS

4

•• In 2016, the Center for Promise partnered with community-based

organizations and grassroots organizers • First of its kind multi-site youth-led health and wellness

assessment• Partnered with 35 youth researchers from five cities - Boston,

Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and St. Paul• Barriers to Wellness: Voices and Views from Young People in Five

Cities released in November 2016

ABOUT THE STUDY

5

Linda Sprague Martinez, PhDPrincipal Investigator – Center for Promise Research Fellow

Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Social Work

PROJECT TIMELINE

6

YOUTH RESEARCH TEAMS WENT RIGHT INTO THEIR SOURCES…

7

City Youth Demographics Topics Explored Assessment Methods

Boston Black, African American (n=4)Multiracial (n=1)Hispanic, Latino (n=2)Mean age (18.14 years)Age range (16-21 years)Gender (4 male; 3 female)

Police interactionsGentrificationStressViolence and safetyFood environmentRacism/race relationsSleepMental health

Survey administered in person

Chicago Black/African American (n=8)Mean age (16.13 years)Age range (15-17 years)Gender (2 male; 6 female)

Police interactionsViolence and safetyFood environmentRacism/race relationsSafe sexDrug useCollege access

Survey administered in person

Denver Black/African American (n=6)Multiracial (n=2)Mean age (16.13 years)Age range (13-18 years)Gender (3 male; 5 female)

Police interactionsGentrificationRacism/race relationsTeen pregnancy

ObservationKey informant interviewsPhotovoice

Philadelphia Black/African American (n=4)Asian Indian (n=2)Mean age (17.33)Age range (17-19 years)Gender (1 male; 5 female)

Police interactionsViolence and safetyFood environmentRacism/race relationsDrug useTeen pregnancyStereotypesSocial mediaPeer Pressure

Survey administered in personPhotovoice

St. Paul Black/African American (n=5)Multiracial (n=1)Mean age ( 26.17 years)Age range (23-34 years)Gender (5 male; 1 female)

Police interactionsStressUnemploymentMass incarcerationQuality of education

Survey administered in person

THREATS TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IDENTIFIED

8

… AND HERE’S WHAT THEY FOUND

9

1. Young people are under stress

2. Young people feel unsafe

3. Young people mistrust and fear police, leading to anxiety and avoidance of public spaces

4. Young people observe and suffer from a lack of access to community resources

5. Young people cite stereotyping and racial bias as reasons they feel unsafe and unwelcome

6. Young people engage in risky behaviors to cope with stress

10

Jamorris PattersonYouth Researcher

Boston, Massachusetts

RESULTS FROM BOSTON

11

Stress• 78% agreed with the statement,

“Youth are living under stress.”

Safety• Only 5.7% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “Youth feel safe in

the community.” • Youth fear violence, gangs, and shootings.

Police Relations• 20% of 123 young people agreed with the statement, “Young people in my

community go to the police if they need help.”• High levels of violence, poor relationships with police, mistrust, and fear.

RESULTS FROM BOSTON

12

Gentrification and Discrimination

• 44% of youth surveyed are worried about gentrification.

• Youth commented on displacement and difficulty dealing with neighborhood change and feeling unwelcome in their own community.

• 70% of youth agreed that they feel discriminated against because of their race

RESULTS FROM BOSTON

13

Lack of Access to Community Resources

• 27% of youth agreed with the statement, “Young people have access to healthy and affordable food.”

• Youth cited fast food outlets as the places where young people get their food.

14

Jamorris PattersonYouth Researcher

Boston, Massachusetts

15

Jennifer WhistlerEducation Coordinator at JEVS Human Services

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

16

QUESTIONS & ANSWERScraigm@americaspromise.org

#BARRIERS2WELLNESS #SAFEPLACES

THANK YOU for your participation!

Download the report on our website -

#BARRIERS2WELLNESS #SAFEPLACES