SRCC poster template provided by Instructional Resources and Office of Undergraduate Research Buffalo is currently serving as a new beginning for the refugees of many troubled nations; however, when refugees first arrive here in Buffalo, many do not speak English, have a formal education, or the tools to adapt to the Buffalo culture. H.E.A.L.- International Inc. is a community-based, nonprofit organization serving the Westside area of the Grant and Ferry Plaza, and offers various services to the refugee community. 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. Youth programs are especially important because it is the youth who are often victimized and targeted due to the vulnerability of their circumstances. The summer program provides job readiness skills, soccer, cultural adaptation, ESL services, and community service opportunities. Evaluation and Needs Assessment of H.E.A.L.’s summer youth program Esperance Rwigamba, Public Administration, Dr. Laurie Buonanno, Project Advisor Data Collection & Instruments Abstract References Literature Review This is a both a program evaluation and needs assessment of the H.E.A.L summer youth program in Buffalo, NY for refugees between the ages of 14 and 21. Previous research suggests such programs help form a bridge between the home culture and new culture of refugee youth. The H.E.A.L. program offers a variety of services to their clients which include cultural orientation, job building, and ESL classes. The study showed that most of the youth who attended H.E.A.L.’s summer program would not have had a positive or meaningful alternative. The study participants rated H.E.A.L. highly. It is recommended that this program be expanded to accommodate more youth. Sample Selection This project’s population is the total number of H.E.A.L. summer program participants. The researcher used 3 focus groups and 3 one-on-one leader interviews to evaluate the program. The focus groups were comprised of refugee youth attending the summer program from the ages of 14 – 17; refugee youth attending the summer program from the ages of 18 – 21; and parents of summer program participants. Three, one-on-one interviews were conducted with program leaders. The researcher chose members of the focus groups based on availability, interest in participating in the study, and recommendations from program administrators. There were 18 refugee youth participants, 10 parental participants, and 3 administrators. This method of evaluation was chosen in part to put the participants at ease. The researcher felt that interviewing the youth in a group discussion format would facilitate the most open and objective discussion. Dwyer & McCloskey conducted a summer literacy program with some success; their results show that summer literacy programs can prevent regression and keep refugee youth out of trouble (Dwyer & McCloskey, 2013). Data Analysis Research Design This project is a qualitative exploratory study of summer youth programs and services provided by H.E.A.L. International Inc. This organization was selected because it offers programs and services targeted for the needs of refugee youth. The data collection phase took approximately 4 weeks to complete. Interviews: Semi-structured interviews Focus groups: Through semi-structured group interviews, the researcher was able to gain a greater understanding of the services/programs available to refugee youth and their families living on Buffalo’s Westside. The researcher also asked members of the group to fill out a questionnaire, which was used to facilitate some of the focus group conversation. Best, M. (2009). Hope for Queen City: Immigration and Neighborhood Development in the West Side of Buffalo. Dwyer, E., & McCloskey, M. L. (2013). Literacy, teens, refugees, and soccer. Refuge, 29(1), 87. Mission. (2014, January 1). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from Table 11. Q.1.9 What would you be doing if you were not participating in the H.E.A.L. summer program? #Answer Response% 1a.) Stay home lonely527.78% 2b.) Trouble maker with my siblings and parents738.89% 3 c.) I don't have idea what I may be doing without H.E.A.L program316.67% 4d.) Visit my friends15.56% 5 e.)Shopping around looking for job but with no English is had15.56% 6f.) Summer camp 15.56% total % Table 16 Q.13.b) - If yes explain? #AnswerResponse% 1.Extending summer program % 2. Having younger kids summer program422.22% 3. we are satisfied with program211.11% total % The sample selection was 38 percent of population that participated in the summer program. 14 out of the 18 participants still attend school. 10 out the 18 are in high school. Results/Conclusions The major findings of this research are as follows: First, there are limited options for refugee youth to attend summer programs in Buffalo. Second, the impact of H.E.A.L. on these youth is positive. The results from this evaluation were able to guide H.E.A.L in identifying it’s youth summer program’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth and improvement. The results demonstrate that a major strength of the program is its focus on job readiness and developing English skills. Due to the nature of this program evaluation, it is not possible to measure or predict any long-term impact of the program had on the individual. 1.Share the results of this evaluation with the City of Buffalo. 2.Collaborate with other community-based organizations. 3.Applying for additional grants based on the organization’s nonprofit status. Study Limitation Recommendations Acknowledgements I cannot express enough thanks to the H.E.A.L. Summer Youth Program and to the participants of the study for allowing me to work with them. My completion of this project could not have been accomplished without the support of Dr. Laurie Buonanno. Finally, to my thoughtful, loving, and supportive husband, Albert Rwigamba: my deepest appreciation. Purpose