Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
A report presented by the New Orleans Youth Leadership Fellowship An Initiative of the Partnership for Youth Development
Expanding Opportunities for New Orleans Youth
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03 Abstract 04 Introduction 05 Background 06 Methodology 07 Demographics 08 Results 19 Conclusion 20 Appendix: Online Survey Form
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
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Abstract This report is a summary of findings from a survey conducted by the New Orleans Youth Leadership Fellows, a group of 20 young leaders in the New Orleans area. This report, Youth Goes Live!, presents a snapshot based on a survey completed by over 350 New Orleans older youth, and their perceptions of various youth support systems in the city. The findings in this report suggest that the City of New Orleans is lacking many of the opportunities that support the success of young people (ages 1424). When confronted with questions about existing programs in the city versus what programs are needed, the respondents overwhelming reported the need for increased programming, services, and opportunities across the board. In particular, the youth respondents clearly noted their desire for increased workforce development opportunities, specifically paid opportunities. In general, these youth not only felt disconnected and not taken seriously by New Orleans, but also expressed an overwhelming majority feeling that the City of New Orleans does not fully support the success of its young people.
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
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Introduction Dear New Orleans, As youth of New Orleans, we need to speak up and represent ourselves. We have learned that our community may care for our youth, but does not always support our path to success. Young leaders need to step up and lead the next generation. We can be advocates for ourselves and the rest of the youth in our city. This fellowship has given us the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other young leaders from different communities. As young adults, we have come together as a group to come up with more answers, and find out the most important tools we need to make change. This report represents not only months of listening to our city’s young people, but organizing their thoughts and responses in a way to help our city’s decision makers consider the youth of New Orleans the next time they do their work. Take notice New Orleans, our voice in our community will be represented. It is time for us to make this city into one that supports its youth to achieve and succeed more than ever! If we don’t ask, no one will care. We are asking for your support. — The Fellows
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Background The New Orleans Youth Leadership Fellowship is a six-month program for older youth committed to answering the question, “How do we create a Youth-Friendly New Orleans?� This Fellowship brings together youth ages 16-21 who are passionate about finding real solutions to create a youth voice in our city and engage young people in municipal-decision making. The Fellowship is designed to increase the level of authentic engagement between youth and the decision making groups within the city of New Orleans. Launched by the Partnership for Youth Development, with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Fellowship includes 20 youth from all corners of New Orleans. The curriculum focuses on youth programming at the city, state and federal level, alignment of programs with education and workforce development, strategies for black male achievement and cross coordination of services, and resources to increase equity of access. Research has shown that civic engagement not only empowers young people and improves their motivation to make change; it also improves their academic performance and post-secondary prospects. The purpose of the Youth Leadership Fellowship is to expose a range of older youth to public advocacy and to develop their leadership skills to bring about social change within the New Orleans area. Fellows participate in workshops through the fall and spring in which they learn about critical thinking, writing, public speaking, and leadership development skills as catalysts for effective policy and advocacy tools. Fellows also meet with a broad range of local New Orleans leaders who represent different sectors of decision-making in the region. Fellows discuss the topics that are affecting our communities, and how they relate to local decision-making bodies. There is a unique balance of interactive and engaging activities to motivate participation among Fellows and heighten their interest in getting involved and making a difference. Upon completion of the fellowship, these young adults will return to their schools, organizations, places of employment, and communities armed with the knowledge and skills developed to lead their communities in meaningful, significant ways.
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
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Methodology The findings presented here are taken from a survey conducted from November of 2010 to February of 2011. During that time, 354 young people between the ages of 14 and 24 responded to an online and paper based questionnaire, which consisted of 13 multiple-choice questions, plus 4 multiple choice demographic questions. All answers were submitted anonymously, and no specific identities were recorded outside of the basic demographic questions. The majority of respondents to this survey were found using each of the Fellows’ school, work and other social networks. Announcements for the online survey were posted to the Partnership for Youth Development’s web based Facebook and Twitter pages. The Partnership for Youth Development also reached out to direct service providers who serve older youth in the New Orleans area. The resulting population of respondents does not qualify as a random sample; thus, the results from this survey are not meant to represent all youth of New Orleans. Rather, the findings are a significant snapshot or representation of youth ages 14-24 in the New Orleans area, and their perceptions of New Orleans current youth systems.
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Demographics of Participants Sex Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51% Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41% Note: 8% chose not to answer this question Age 14–17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63% 18–21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30% 21–24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7% Parish Orleans Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95% Jefferson Parish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% East Baton Rouge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <1% St. Tammany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <1% Race a. White/Caucasian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% b. Black or African American . . . . . . . . . . . . 67% c. Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% d. Native American . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% e. Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% f. Multi-Racial (two or more races) . . . . . . . . . 8% h. I prefer to not answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% i. Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1%
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Results
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Question One: In New Orleans, Young People are Welcomed and Taken Seriously.
Summary »»52% of the young people in New Orleans feel that they are not taken seriously or welcomed. »»Only 27% of the young people feel that they are welcomed and taken seriously.
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Question Two: I Feel Engaged and Connected to My Community In New Orleans.
Summary 44% of the young people feel engaged and connected to their community, but 46% of the young people do not feel engaged or connected to their community. Therefore, young people are relatively evenly split about their engagement and connection to their community.
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Question Three: I Would Participate as a Youth Representative With…
Summary »»Young people think that having youth representative on a committee for job training and work opportunities (workforce development) is the best way to increase youth voice. »»89% of the young people surveyed said that they would participate as a youth representative on decision making groups in New Orleans if given the opportunity.
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Question Four: What are the Benefits to Participating in an Afterschool Program for Young People 14 and Older?
Summary »»98% of young people see benefits in participating in afterschool programs as an older youth. »»Over half of the young people surveyed see participating in afterschool programs as beneficial towards preparing for college and their careers.
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
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Questions Five & Six: Programs Participated In vs. What Programs Should be Created?
Summary »»47% of young people surveyed would like to have more leadership programs in New Orleans, but only 25% have actually had the opportunity to participate in one. »»Less than 1 out of every 5 young people surveyed have participated in a Theatre, Dance, Mentoring and Outdoor Education in the past two years. »»Only 15% of the young people surveyed have participated in a mentoring program the past two years, yet twice as many young people would think more mentoring programs should be created.
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Question Seven & Eight: What Youth Need to Succeed vs. What is Currently in Place
Summary »»The young people surveyed believe that education, safe communities & employment opportunities are the best ways for a youth to succeed. »»46% of the young people surveyed feel like safe communities are needed to succeed, but only 8% believe safe communities are already in place in New Orleans. »»There was not a single youth success support that the majority of young people surveyed thought was currently in place in New Orleans. »»Less than 1 out of every 5 youth surveyed feel like there is access to health care and healthy food options.
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
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Question Nine: New Orleans Currently Has Enough Employment and Internship Opportunities for Young People.
Summary »»The young people surveyed believe that we need job opportunities to succeed, but 69% believe that we don’t have job opportunities in place.
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Questions Ten & Eleven: Which of the Following Job Skills/Work Opportunities Have You Participated In the Past 2 Years?
Which of These Career Development/Work Opportunities Would You Participate In if They Were Available?
Summary »»35% of the young people surveyed have not participated in a workforce development opportunity in the past two years. »»Only 30% of the young people surveyed have held a paid job within the past two years. »»93% of the youth surveyed are interested in Career/Work opportunities.
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
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Question Twelve: Barriers to Youth Employment and Career Development?
Summary »»The young people surveyed believe that the biggest barrier to youth employment & career development are the lack of opportunities. »»About one out of every three of the young people surveyed believe that the family responsibilities present a barrier towards employment and career development. »»Two out of every five young persons surveyed say transportation is a barrier towards employment and career development.
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Question Thirteen: Is New Orleans a Youth Friendly City That Supports the Success of its Young People?
Summary »»Two out of every three young people surveyed believe New Orleans is not a youth friendly city that supports the success of its young people
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Conclusion After months of surveying the youth in our city, we have received a number of responses relating to what our peers think of New Orleans. We know we are affected by every decision our officials make and after reviewing this data we are obviously concerned. New Orleans, Louisiana is not just a city full of violence, and you cannot stereotype the youth of this city into one character. We are a diverse group of citizens yet all have similar interests, goals, morals and expectations. We are serious and we expect to be taken seriously. We have done our research, we have real information and this is the voice of the youth of New Orleans. We want to make a change, we won’t stop here, and we will take it upon our own initiative to hold our city’s decision makers accountable. As leaders, our mission is to help eliminate the barriers that keep our city from fully supporting its young people. This report is the start. This is ‘Youth Going Live’. — The New Orleans Youth Leadership Fellows Courtney Jacks Nia Benn Jasmine Wilson Malcolm Dibartolo Yashonda Lee Antoine Turner Iesha Bourgeois
Kiona Williams Lenika Stalbert Oscar Garcia De’shaun Prader Dywayne` Washington Candace Gautreaux Montrell Bogan
Darielle Trotter Shanay Howard Jare’ Henderson Meosha Wilkus Dwon Jordana Ireian Roberts
A special thanks to everyone at the Partnership for Youth Development for their support of the New Orleans Youth Leadership Fellowship. In specific, to Nathaniel Jackson, Devon Henderson and Richard Comeaux for helping to prepare and facilitate each fellowship session all while leading as an older youth yourselves. Thank You. — Eric Jensen Fellowship Facilitator
Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
Appendix: Online Survey Form Youth Leadership Fellowship Survey All Young People 14-24, Have Your Voice Heard!!! The answers you provide to this survey will go towards helping to improve New Orleansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; supports for its young people. This 13 question survey should only take a few minutes to complete. Thank You!
1. In New Orleans, young people are welcomed and taken seriously. a. b. c. d. e.
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion
2. I feel engaged and connected to my community in New Orleans. a. b. c. d. e.
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
3. Which of the following would you participate in? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f.
Youth Representative in City Government (e.g. City Council, Mayor’s office) Youth Representative on commission for developing work and job training opportunities Youth Representative on a School Board Youth Representative on a board of a community organization who serves young people Youth Participation in community development and/or community planning None of the Above
4. What are the benefits to participating in an afterschool program for young people 14 and older? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j.
Helps prepare me for college and/or career Opportunity to learn from adults who are not your parents Hang out with friends and/or meet new people Engage with the community Explore things I don’t get in school Helps me succeed in school Other (please list) I’ve haven’t participated in an afterschool program for young people ages 14 and older I don’t think there are benefits to participating in afterschool programs Other: ________________________
5. What kinds of programs outside of school have you participated in during the past 2 years? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k.
Leadership Arts Music Religious Theatre Dance Academic Athletic Mentoring Outdoor/Environmental Education I haven’t participated in a program outside of school in the past 2 years. Other (please list):______________________________________
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
6. Which of these would you like to see more of created in the New Orleansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; community? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k.
Leadership Arts Music Religious Theatre Dance Academic Athletic Mentoring Outdoor/Environmental Education Other (please list)_________________________ None
7. What do youth need to succeed? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k.
Quality Green Space (e.g. Parks) Education Access to Transportation Afterschool & Summer Programs Employment Opportunities Adult Mentors More Social Events (dances, open mike, etc) Safe Communities Access to Medical and Mental Health Care Access to Healthy Food Options Other (please list)
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
8. Which of these does New Orleans currently have in place (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l.
Quality Green Space (e.g. Parks) Education Access to Transportation Afterschool & Summer Programs Employment Opportunities Adult Mentors Social Events (dances, open mike, etc) Safe Communities Access to Medical and Mental Health Care Access to Healthy Food Options Other (please list) None
9. New Orleans currently has enough employment and internship opportunities for young people. a. b. c. d. e.
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion
10. Which of the following job skills/work opportunities have you participated in the past 2 years? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f.
Internship Job training Job 1 Paid Job Vocational/Technical/Skilled trade training None of the Above
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Youth Goes Live! A Summary of Findings
11. Which of these career development/work opportunities would you participate in if they were available? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j.
Paid Internship Unpaid Internship Job training Job 1 Paid Job afterschool or during the summer Resume Assistance Assistance finding a job (e.g. Job Fairs, employment office) Career exploration Vocational/Technical/Skilled trade training None
12. What is the biggest barrier to youth employment and career development? (circle all that apply) a. b. c. d. e. f. g.
Transportation School Family Lack of opportunities Lack of professional experience Professional Work Clothing Other (please list)
13. Is New Orleans a Youth Friendly city that supports the success of its young people? a. Yes b. No
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Demographic Questions 1. What is your age? a. b. c. d.
Under 14 14–17 18–21 21–24
e. Over 24 2. What zip code do you live in? 3. Race: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.
White/Caucasian Black or African American Asian Native American Hispanic Multi-Racial (two or more races) Other race not listed I prefer to not answer
4. Sex: a. Female b. Male
This survey was brought to you by the New Orleans Youth Leadership Fellows. We are a group of young leaders working to improve youth serving systems and the engagement of young people in the City of New Orleans. For more information about the survey results, or the Fellowship you can contact fellowship@nolayouth.org.