Age range

Website: www.harlemrbi.org

Mission/Goals: Harlem RBI uses baseball and softball and the power of teams to provide inner city youth with opportunities to play, to learn and to grow, inspiring them to recognize their potential and realize their dreams.

Source: www.guidestar.org

Notes: In addition to opportunities to play baseball and softball, Harlem RBI also offers a range of activities in conjunction with baseball and softball activities. Youth ages 13-18 participate in the Team Enrichment program consisting of education, youth development, community service, job readiness, career awareness and college prep. Youth ages 12 and under can participate in an after-school program, The REAL (Reading and Enrichment Academy for Learning) Summer Camp, or the summer Rookie (T-Ball) League.

Type of Evaluation: Pre-Post Test

Objective: The objective was to find out if kids in the REAL Kids program experience success and gain confidence to try new things, if REAL Kids gain teamwork and conflict resolution skills, and if REAL Kids become better readers and/or better baseball players.

Impact/Outcome Findings: Gains in self-confidence occurred in catching fly balls, showing support to someone on another team, and conflict resolution. For children with low self-confidence, there were significant gains in self-confidence. Reading scores remained constant throughout the summer. There was a modest positive change in two of the five baseball skill areas; fielding and catching. In pitching, there was no change and in batting and running there were downward trends. The study found that through teamwork, REAL Kids promoted conflict resolution skills. REAL Kids felt more confident in their ability to stay out of arguments and fights and more confident in their ability to provide support to peers on another team.