Conclusion
The purpose of this research project was to examine the impact of the H.E.A.L. summer youth program serving refugees between the ages of 14 and 21 in the City of Buffalo. H.E.A.L. was interested in an examination of this program to help measure the success of the program and to see if it is having an impact in the community. This research was important because most refugees when they arrive in Buffalo face different challenges such as language barriers, differing backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs, lack of education; therefore guidance and orientation to be successful is very necessary.
Although the sample size was small, the findings are thought provoking and can guide future research. This study not only showed the value of the program and the services it provides available to refugee youth, it also showed that those refugee youth aware of this program, are taking advantage of it. It also shows that there is a desire and need for more services. Among eighteen participants and ten parents interviewed, all of them were satisfied with the H.E.A.L. summer program.
Both youth and parents felt the program provided a safe and positive environment for the participants during the summer break. Leaders acknowledged a history of past participants claiming the same results, that without this program the youth would be getting into trouble. The leaders interviewed claimed a 65% success rate in helping the youth obtain employment. Parents of the participants were particularly pleased with the entrepreneurship services, which helped the youth learn how to start their own businesses. Another service that proved to be very helpful
was teaching the youth how to fill out applications for various things such as employment and other services.
Limitations of this study
The first limitation of this program evaluation is that only one contact was made with each focus group. The second limitation is the short duration of the program. It was difficult to measure how much of a long term impact the program had on the individual. The third limitation of this study was the relatively small sample size in comparison with the large amount of refugee youth in Buffalo. For this reason, these findings cannot be generalized to compare with other programs.
Recommendations
The researcher recommends the following to the H.E.A.L. administrators:
1. Share the results of this evaluation with the City of Buffalo 2. Collaborate with other community-based organizations
3. Apply for additional grants based on the organizations nonprofit status
4. In addition to the above recommendations the researcher suggests looking for other sources of funding within the local community. For example, raising funds by appealing to local businesses including those in the Westside Bazaar. Holding community fund raisers and holding community meetings to raise awareness of the needs and benefits of the program. H.E.A.L. should follow up with participants for feedback and progress so that they can track the results of the program better; for example, interviewing
participants at three months, six months, and one-year intervals after completing the summer program.
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Appendices
Appendix A: Parental Consent
PARENTAL CONSENT
TITLE OF STUDY
Please read the information below and ask questions about anything that you do not understand before deciding if you want your child to participate. A researcher listed below will be available to answer your questions.
Name and Title of Researcher: XXX
Telephone Number: XXX Email: XXX
Study Location(s): XXX
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The purpose of this research study is to research the influence an educational television program can have on preschool age children’s ability to make important connections between letters, sounds, words, and meaning.
Inclusion Requirements
Your child is eligible to participate in this study if he or she is 7 to 9 years old and will attend Lewiston Porter during the month of July 2011.
PROCEDURES
As part of this study, students will be given a pre-assessment of their skills in letter/sound relationships, making words, rhyming words, and word meanings. After this they will be viewing15 minute episodes of Word World, each of which focuses on a different skill that will be immediately assessed after each episode. Students will view two episodes per day for eight days. After watching eight episodes, students will be assessed as this is the midpoint
comprehension assessment. After the completion of 16 episodes, students will be assessed once again on their skills in letter/sound relationships, making words, rhyming words, and word meanings. Throughout this process anecdotal notes will be kept to help determine students’ apparent interest in the show and their viewing habits. Each session is estimated to last for approximately one hour and there will be eight sessions.
RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS
There are no risks or discomforts to your child beyond what they would encounter in everyday life. Identities will remain confidential and this study has no bearing on your child’s relationship with Lewiston Porter.
BENEFITS
The possible benefits your child may experience from the procedures described in this study include receiving additional instruction and practice with pre-reading and emergent reading skills.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Your child’s research records will be stored in the following manner: Participants’ identity will remain confidential. First names only will be used during the study data collection and will be changed to protect their identity when the data is compiled into the research project report. All study data will be kept in a locked and secured location that only the authorized researcher will have access to.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
If you have any comments, concerns, or questions regarding the conduct of this research, please contact the researcher at the top of this form.
If you are unable to contact the researcher and have general questions, or you have concerns or complaints about the research study, please contact Gina Game, IRB Administrator, by email at
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION STATEMENT
Participation in this study is voluntary. You or your child may refuse to answer any question or discontinue their involvement at any time without penalty. Your decision will not affect your future relationship with Lewiston Porter. Your signature below indicates that you have read the information in this parental consent and have had a chance to ask any questions that you may have about this study.
SIGNATURES
___________________________________________________ __________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature Date
___________________________________________________ __________________
Appendix B: Informed Consent of Participants under 18 years
INFORMED CONSENT
Examination and Evaluation of the H.E.A.L.’s youth programs and their
effectiveness in empowering refugees within the Westside neighborhoods of
the grant and ferry plaza, of the city
NAME AND TITLE OF RESEARCHER: Esperance Rwigamba, MPA student
Department/Room Number: MAP program 214 Telephone Number: 716-390-0195
Email: [email protected]
STUDY LOCATION(S): H.E.A.L. International Inc. 233 West Ferry St. second floor, Buffalo,
NY 14213.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
Evaluating and assessing HEAL’s efforts and common desire to support arriving refugee individuals and families of the Westside of Buffalo, especially the youth programs during summer time, can help identify programs that are working and possible areas of need.
SUBJECTS
Inclusion Requirements
You are eligible to participate in this study if you are participating in the H.E.A.L. summer program and are between the ages of 14 years and 21 years old, and if you are a leader or a parent/guardian of a program participant.
PROCEDURES
The following procedures will occur: the data will be collected through interviews and it will take six weeks to complete, and the sample size will be approximately 20 youth participating in
the program.
The researcher is going to interview all the leaders of the H.E.A.L. summer program and will attempt to interview one guardian/parent from each participating program participant that will be interviewed during the research. The researcher is looking to interview at least 20 of the
summer program participants. For the children under 18 years the researcher will need a signature permission of their parents.
Schedule:
The research I will schedule the meetings interview accordingly on the participant’s availabilities from July 6th to August 14th 2015. The interviews will take place at the H.E.A.L International Inc. located at 233 West Ferry Street, Buffalo NY 14213.
RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS
The possible risks and/or discomforts associated with the procedures described in this study are minimal and no greater than those encountered in everyday life
BENEFITS
The possible benefits from this study, is to increase the awareness and the utilization of this program and its services with the refugee community.
CONFIDENTIALITY Data Storage
Your research records will be stored in the following manner: all data will be stored in a locked and secured location and retained for at least three years in compliance with federal regulations.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
If you have any comments, concerns, or questions regarding the conduct of this research, please contact the researcher at the top of this form.
Upon project completion, the results of this study will be available at the following URL: http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/mpa_projects/
If you are unable to contact the researcher and have general questions about your rights as a participant, please contact Gina Game, IRB Administrator, and Sponsored Programs
Office/SUNY Buffalo State at [email protected].
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION STATEMENT
Participation in this study is voluntary. You may refuse to answer any question or discontinue your involvement at any time without penalty. Your decision will not affect your future
relationship with Buffalo State. Your signature below indicates that you have read the
information in this informed consent and have had a chance to ask any questions that you have about the study.
___________________________________________________ __________________
Participant’s Signature Date
___________________________________________________ __________________
Parent or Guardian Signature (if participant is under 18) Date
___________________________________________________ __________________
Appendix C: Assent Form of Participant over 18 years
Examination and Evaluation of the H.E.A.L.’s youth programs and their
effectiveness in empowering refugees within the Westside neighborhoods of
the grant and ferry plaza, of the city
Assent Form:
PURPOSE OF STUDY
Evaluating and assessing HEAL’s efforts and common desire to support arriving refugee individuals and families of the Westside of Buffalo, especially the youth programs during summer time, can help identify programs that are working and possible areas of need.
SUBJECTS
Inclusion Requirements
You are eligible to participate in this study if you are participating in the H.E.A.L. summer program and are between the ages of 14 years and 21 years old, and if you are a leader or a parent/guardian of a program participant.
PROCEDURES
The following procedures will occur: the data will be collected through interviews and it will take six weeks to complete, and the sample size will be approximately 20 youth participating in the program.
The researcher is going to interview all the leaders of the H.E.A.L. summer program and will attempt to interview one guardian/parent from each participating program participant that will be interviewed during the research. The researcher is looking to interview at least 20 of the summer program participants. For the children under 18 years the researcher will need a signature
permission of their parents.
Schedule:
The research I will schedule the meetings interview accordingly on the participant’s availabilities from July 6th to August 14th 2015. The interviews will take place at the H.E.A.L International Inc.
located at 233 West Ferry Street, Buffalo NY 14213.
Risks/Benefits
Potential risks: There are only minimal risks associated with this study, similar to those
encountered in everyday life.
Protection Against Risks: No more than minimal risk.
Voluntary Participation: Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You may
quit at any time without penalty.
Confidentiality: The data will be stored on a password protected computer for three years in
compliance with the federal regulations.
Please call Esperance Rwigamba at (716) 390-0195 with any questions concerning this study.
If you wish to participate in this study, please sign below.
Participant’s signature_____________________________________ Date ______
Print name______________________________________________________________
Appendix D: Assent Form for leaders of H.E.A.L. summer youth program
Examination and Evaluation of the H.E.A.L.’s youth programs and their
effectiveness in empowering refugees within the Westside neighborhoods of
the grant and ferry plaza, of the city
Assent form PURPOSE OF STUDY
Evaluating and assessing HEAL’s efforts and common desire to support arriving refugee individuals and families of the Westside of Buffalo, especially the youth programs during summer time, can help identify programs that are working and possible areas of need.
SUBJECTS
Inclusion Requirements
You are eligible to participate in this study if you are participating in the H.E.A.L. summer program and are between the ages of 14 years and 21 years old, and if you are a leader or a parent/guardian of a program participant.
PROCEDURES
The following procedures will occur: the data will be collected through interviews and it will take six weeks to complete, and the sample size will be approximately 20 youth participating in the program.
The researcher is going to interview all the leaders of the H.E.A.L. summer program and will attempt to interview one guardian/parent from each participating program participant that will be interviewed during the research. The researcher is looking to interview at least 20 of the summer program participants. For the children under 18 years the researcher will need a signature
permission of their parents.
Schedule:
from July 6th to August 14th 2015. The interviews will take place at the H.E.A.L International Inc. located at 233 West Ferry Street, Buffalo NY 14213.
Risks/Benefits
Potential risks: There are only minimal risks associated with this study, similar to those
encountered in everyday life.
Protection Against Risks: No more than minimal risk.
Voluntary Participation: Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You may
quit at any time without penalty.
Confidentiality: The data will be stored on a password protected computer for three years in
compliance with the federal regulations.
Please call Esperance Rwigamba at (716) 390-0195 with any questions concerning this study.
If you wish to participate in this study, please sign below.
Participant’s signature_____________________________________ Date ______
Print name______________________________________________________________
Appendix E: Interview questions for the refugee youth
1. How long have you been in Buffalo? 2. Do you attend school? Yes □ No □
If yes, what grade are you in and which school do you attend? 3. Which option is closest to your current living situation?
a. Live in a two parent household b. Live in a single parent household
c. Live with relatives other than your parents d. Live with close family friends
e. Live with foster parents or non-relatives f. Live in a group home/juvenile center 4. Do you have siblings? Yes □ No □
If yes, how many live with you now?
5. Have you ever been in trouble with the law or in school? Yes □ No □ If yes, please explain:
6. If you attend school, how well do you feel you perform?
7. How do you find out about the H.E.A.L program?
8. Do you like participating in the programs here? Yes □ No □
9. What would you be doing if you were not participating in the H.E.A.L. summer program?
10. What services have you received from the H.E.A.L. summer program?
If yes, would you recommend them to the H.E.A.L program?
If no, why not?
12. Do you feel you learned or gained anything from participating in the H.E.A.L. program? Yes □ No □
If yes, please explain
13. Is there anything else you would like to see the H.E.A.L. program provide to refugee youth? Yes □ No □
Appendix F: Interview questions for parents/guardian of refugee youth
1. How long have you been in Buffalo?
2. Please select the highest level of education completed? a. No formal education b. Elementary school c. High school d. Associates Degree e. Bachelor’s Degree f. Graduate Degree
3. Please describe your current living situation? 4. How many children are you currently caring for?
How many of the children are you biological children?