NCJ Number
160397
Date Published
1993
Length
25 pages
Annotation
A New York City youth development strategy named the Beacons is discussed with respect to its history, goals, strategies, implementation status of the 20 school-based community centers begun before October 1993, and implementation issues for the 17 new Beacons currently in their start-up phases.
Abstract
The Beacons initiative seeks to link community-based youth organizations with schools to increase the presence of supports for youth to meet their needs and assist them in developing academic and social competencies and acquiring values that will enable them to become economically self-sufficient and successful parents and citizens. It also seeks to involve youths in making contributions to their families, peers, and neighborhoods. Information on the Beacons was gathered by means of a review of program documents, observations of activities, interviews with program directors, interviews with staff and parents, and focus groups with youth. The analysis revealed that the use of community-based organizations to manage the program has brought many strengths to the initiative, but the model is very demanding. Its flexibility also has advantages and disadvantages. Its major limitation to date is its limited linkage with instructional strategies to improve educational outcomes for youth. It is recommended that the Beacon school-based community centers be maintained at least at the current level of core funding, that efforts to increase collaboration and co-location of services be strengthened, and that the linking of Beacons with community policing be supported. Additional recommendations and 11 references