2008 PYD Summer Interns Survey Findings and Recommendations

Article by Phavienne Celestin

Description:

On July 29th, the 2008 Positive Youth Development Summer interns presented their findings and recommendations based on a survey that they conducted in the Tampa Bay area. The Interns utilized a 25 item questionnaire with both open and close-ended questions about transportation, jobs, demographics, free time activities, and potential problems in the community. They sampled 155 young people from 7 youth-serving sites. The survey addressed the Five Promises (which are Caring Adults, Safe Places, Healthy Start, Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others) and how the promises related to sports, parents, teen pregnancy, and Know How 2 Go Tampa Bay, a college education program. The survey focused on what young people think of Tampa being selected as one of the “100 Best” cities in terms of delivering the five promises and how well the five promises are received in Tampa. The average age of respondents was 13; 40% were male and 60% were female; 97% lived in Hillsborough County for one or more years and 56% have always lived in Hillsborough. The interns found that 72% of kids think dropping out of school is a problem, 45% of kids spend one hour or less studying, 84% of parents talk about school with kids and 20% of kids like going to school.

From the survey, the interns found that parenting affects all five promises. Youthindicated they are more likely to succeed in school if their parents push them to work hard, maintain clear rules in the household, and discipline for poor grades. The interns recommend free workshops in communities and advising sessions in schools for parents to learn how to best prepare, motivate, and discipline their children for optimal academic success.

To enhance effective education, the interns recommended more help during and after school, tutoring for kids by kids, smaller classrooms, viewing more of the adult world and mentoring and life skills programs for students in the community.

In the sports realm, they recommended recreation centers for older teens, a support program to help teen athletes with time management, and scholarships for sports camps. Young people need access to affordable sports programs in order to participate.

Overall, youth in Tampa feel that their community delivers the five promises. Teens feel relatively safe; however, some feel that drugs, violence, and alcohol are big problems in the Tampa Bay area. Most teens report that their parents talk to them about teen pregnancy. Very few kids participate in or are aware of community service opportunities. Many feel that school doesn’t fully prepare them for the future. Based on this research, the interns recommend tutoring centers for kids by kids, a community service website, anonymous support groups that are easily accessible, teen transportation, mentoring and life skills programs, and scholarships for camps and extracurricular activities to continue improving the quality of life for young people.

Contact Person: Cindy J Liberton

Funding for Academic Year: 2008-09

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	2008 PYD Summer Interns Survey Findings and Recommendations Article by Phavienne Celestin Description: On July 29th, the 2008 Positive Youth Development Summer interns presented their findings and recommendations based on a survey that they conducted in the Tampa Bay area. The Interns utilized a 25 item questionnaire with both open and close-ended questions about transportation, jobs, demographics, free time activities, and potential problems in the community. They sampled 155 young people from 7 youth-serving sites. The survey addressed the Five Promises (which are Caring Adults, Safe Places, Healthy Start, Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others) and how the promises related to sports, parents, teen pregnancy, and Know How 2 Go Tampa Bay, a college education program. The survey focused on what young people think of Tampa being selected as one of the “100 Best” cities in terms of delivering the five promises and how well the five promises are received in Tampa. The average age of respondents was 13; 40% were male and 60% were female; 97% lived in Hillsborough County for one or more years and 56% have always lived in Hillsborough. The interns found that 72% of kids think dropping out of school is a problem, 45% of kids spend one hour or less studying, 84% of parents talk about school with kids and 20% of kids like going to school. From the survey, the interns found that parenting affects all five promises. Youthindicated they are more likely to succeed in school if their parents push them to work hard, maintain clear rules in the household, and discipline for poor grades. The interns recommend free workshops in communities and advising sessions in schools for parents to learn how to best prepare, motivate, and discipline their children for optimal academic success. To enhance effective education, the interns recommended more help during and after school, tutoring for kids by kids, smaller classrooms, viewing more of the adult world and mentoring and life skills programs for students in the community. In the sports realm, they recommended recreation centers for older teens, a support program to help teen athletes with time management, and scholarships for sports camps. Young people need access to affordable sports programs in order to participate. Overall, youth in Tampa feel that their community delivers the five promises. Teens feel relatively safe; however, some feel that drugs, violence, and alcohol are big problems in the Tampa Bay area. Most teens report that their parents talk to them about teen pregnancy. Very few kids participate in or are aware of community service opportunities. Many feel that school doesn’t fully prepare them for the future. Based on this research, the interns recommend tutoring centers for kids by kids, a community service website, anonymous support groups that are easily accessible, teen transportation, mentoring and life skills programs, and scholarships for camps and extracurricular activities to continue improving the quality of life for young people. Contact Person: Cindy J Liberton Funding for Academic Year: 2008-09


	Monday November 23 2009