Disrupting Poverty, Part 1 + 2

Abstract

This study focuses on MYA’s impact using qualitatively and quantitatively data collected over a five--‐year period, proving that leaving the root causes of extreme poverty and inequality unchecked without social services programs run by community leaders, threatens the heart and welfare of a community as a whole. The research tells the story of how Minnesota’s key socio--‐economic indicators are completely different when viewed from a poverty and racial inequality lens by county. The data collected includes interviews with key funders, partners, landlords, MYA’s youth, MYA’s Founder/Executive Director, funders, clients, program facilitators and MYA Board Chair. These interviews provided broad scope and structure to the study told through a lens by county with qualified information supporting the data by MYA and its key stakeholders.

The MYA impact study analyzed data from client intake applications using sophisticated data modeling tools that revealed significant results detailed in this study. This study looks at demand and capacity based on applying statistical analysis to the data, which revealed a 152% increase in 2014 cases over 2013. MYA Director and Founder, Dora Jones stating, "when a homeless youth walks through MYA's doors for help, almost always there’s a homeless family story attached". The crisis nature of these cases requires an efficient intake process that digs deep into the families’ status in order to help the youth. Oftentimes, the case extends beyond homelessness and could include many scenarios, such as, an incarcerated parent, drug and/or alcohol abuse, mental illness, or sexual assault, requiring protection for the child. Data analysis provides a comprehensive view of effectiveness rates of Mentoring Young Adults in disrupting poverty, one youth at a time, with mentoring and supporting the whole family.

The impact of Mentoring Young Adults in Ramsey, Dakota, Washington and Hennepin Counties is measured by layering American Census Survey data with the data from actual MYA cases. This study will give you detailed results of how MYA has successfully placed the most difficult homeless youth and families as an extremely under--‐funded organization for the past nine years.