LEARNAfter School Program
New Directions for Youth is asking for 100,000 from LA2050 in support of its robust after school programming. NDY offers after school programming for at risk low income youth at no cost. At New Directions, youth are able to participate in a multitude of various programs designed specifically for their needs. NDY offers tutoring, homework help, GED preperation, STEM programming classes, computer classes, art, music, dance, yoga, fitness, meditation, and music programming instruction.
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
San Fernando Valley
In what stage of innovation is this project?
Expand existing program
What is the need you’re responding to?
New Directions for Youth currently services the San Fernando Valley. Based on the census report, 14.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. Of the youth residing in the San Fernando Valley, 19% live below the poverty line. New Directions for Youth works with LAUSD to provide wraparound services and a safe haven for the at -risk youth in the San Fernando Valley. We provide pick up and drop off services to help keep youth engaged and off the streets after school. NDY staff keep in regular contact with LAUSD staff regarding academic progress of students enrolled in its after- school programs.
New Directions for Youth recognizes the need for family engagement in order to further ensure the success of our youth. We provide parenting classes, as well as family, group and individual counseling services for our clients free of charge.
Why is this project important to the work of your organization?
The after-school program at NDY has been operating for 45+ years in the San Fernando Valley. In 2019 New Directions for Youth was able to open its doors to the Paul Krikorian Health and Recreation Center with the generous donations of LA City and private donors. Within the Health and Recreation Center NDY was also able to secure a state-of-the-art music recording studio donated by SubPop Records. This project gave New Directions the opportunity to expand its after- school program and include fitness, music, music recording, dance and wellness into the curriculum.
These additional services were imperative to the needs of the population NDY services, as most fitness centers in the area require a fee for membership which the low-income population cannot afford. NDY believes in the potential of the population it serves and aims to go above and beyond to provide the best service and opportunities to enrich the lives of our youth.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this proposal?
Direct Impact: 650
Indirect Impact: 3,000
Please describe the broader impact of your proposal.
NDY will continue to provide opportunities for youth to participate in healthy activities during after school programs. This will directly impact 250 youth in a one year timeframe and 80% of youth who will participate in the after school program will receive 100 hours of positive youth development and fitness activities in one year.
NDY will continue to provide individual, group, family therapy and parenting classes. The impact of these programs will cause 85% of families to increase the amount of time spent with each other in support of positive relationships. This will directly impact 100 families within a one year timeframe.
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.
The impact of this project will be more underserved youth graduating from high school. Higher employability for the youth.
NDY continues to have a major impact on gang reduction in the San Fernando Valley. NDY also partners with the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction, Youth Development (GRYD) to ensure at-risk youth in the San Fernando Valley stay out of gangs and off the street. 98% of youth participating in the NDY Gang Prevention Program no longer show significant risk of gang involvement after one year.
NDY staff collects attendance records for all activities in addition to managing case files and writing case notes. This information will document the number of students and parents served in each activity.
NDY staff also documents the clients’ knowledge and understanding of their accomplishments through client satisfaction surveys, pre and post testing. The process evaluation data and benchmarks will be reviewed regularly by the Executive Director to determine how NDY programs are progressing and to ensure that appropriate progress toward achievement of program objectives is on track toward successful program outcomes within the one year timeframe.
The summative evaluation will collect all process evaluation data and provide a measurement of how effectively NDY programs meet their identified goals and objectives at the end of one year. This evaluation will also state to what extent the program had an effect on the outcomes.
Which of the LEARN metrics will your submission impact?
Enrollment in afterschool programs
High school graduation rates
Proficiency in STEM
Are there any other LA2050 goal categories that your proposal will impact?
LA is the best place to CREATE
LA is the best place to PLAY
LA is the best place to CONNECT
LA is the healthiest place to LIVE
Which of LA2050’s resources will be of the most value to you?
Access to the LA2050 community
Host public events or gatherings
Communications support
Strategy assistance and implementation