The YouthFriends evaluation indicates that volunteers are truly making a difference in the lives of young people.

A recent science-based evaluation using a pre/post test model and a comparison group of non-participating students, conducted by the Community Systems Research Group under the direction of Dr. Sharon Portwood of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, revealed the following:

• YouthFriends students scored significantly higher than controls at post-test on sense of school connectedness - a critical factor ultimately impacting staying in school, participation and achievement.
• When students with an initial GPA below 2.0 were examined, YouthFriends students demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in academic performance from Year One to Year Two that was not evident in non-YouthFriends students.
• Comparisons of YouthFriends students' pre- and post-test scores showed a statistically significant improvement in community connectedness, with students indicating a higher degree of social responsibility at the end of the school year.
• Among YouthFriends students with low scores on positive attitudes towards adults at pre-test, there was a statistically significant improvement at post-test.

In May 2006, satisfaction and outcomes surveys were distributed to 5,907 volunteers, 6,520 participating students in grades three and above, 2,506 school staff and 3,971 parents students engaged in one-to-one matches.

Below are the key findings from the evaluation. For further information on the YouthFriends evaluation, call 816.842.7082 or 877.842.7082 (toll free).