Age range

Website: www.philasafesound.org

Mission/Goals: Beacon's mission is to adhere to youth development principles and a high level of quality community involvement. The programs seek to provide activities that establish opportunities for empowerment and skill building, development of character and positive social norms, and the integration of family, school and community supports.

Notes: P/PV researchers are undertaking a study using quantitative and qualitative data-collection strategies to evaluate Beacon Centers in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Safe and Sound manages the Children's Investment Strategy, which provides 23 Beacons located in public schools in the city. Beacons serve community members of all ages. They are generally open from 3:00 to 8:00p.m., five to six days each week during the school year and operate full day programs during the summer.

Type of Evaluation: Outcomes Monitoring.

Note: The evaluation reported here does not include the Philadelphia programs.

Objective: To assess whether or not improvements in young people's experiences and outcomes could be linked to participation in the Beacon Centers.

Impact/Outcome Findings: Roughly 80% of Beacon participants felt a strong sense of belonging, 90% felt a sense of peer and adult support within activities, and 70% thought the activities offered something new and interesting. Youth who participated showed increases in levels of adult support and leadership experiences. Participation in Beacon centers was associated with a decline in self-efficacy and effort put into school. Beacon participants did not fare better academically than their non-Beacon peers.