Establish authentic connections with the young people in your anti-poverty program.
Young people in poverty struggle with numerous social and economic handicaps and they require substantial support to overcome those handicaps. Those working in an institutional capacity to help kids in poverty must use every resource available to ensure success. It's also important for organization and program leaders to know what objectives to prioritize when helping kids in poverty.
Establish Lasting Relationships
Those who work with anti-poverty organizations need to commit to forming lasting relationships with the young people with whom they work. It's important that kids in poverty be able to count on the social service workers and other aides that support them. Young people in poverty may become distrustful and complacent if they experience too many undependable adult "helpers." In that case, anti-poverty organizations will have done more harm than good.
Fight for Appropriate Space
According to Professor Gary Evans of Cornell University, there is a definite relationship between "crowding, noise, housing and neighborhood quality" on the one hand, and a young person's academic and personal achievement on the other. Fight for a spacious and quiet location for your anti-poverty youth organization. Insist on space conducive to physical and mental safety. It's important that young people experience calming surroundings as they learn to improve their lives.
Collect and Evaluate Data
Programs that keep records of methods, techniques, and results are more effective at producing long-lasting change than those that don't. Choose benchmarks of success that are easily recorded. Record as many aspects of your process as possible and employ an internal evaluation of your methods periodically. If you have the resources, consider hiring an outside data-evaluation and consulting company to advise you on improving your results.
Increase Program Comprehensiveness
According to Dr. Anne Brady, et al. of the Harvard Family Research Project in an article about parenting programs and long-term interventions for improving child development and family economics, comprehensive programs are more effective than those that send people to various other services. Include as many in-house services as possible. Connect with other organizations such as medical clinics, schools and career training services. When necessary, refer young people to service providers with whom you already have a collaborative relationship.
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