Harder+Company Community Research Releases Findings Validating Genesys Works’ Impact

April 24, 2019

News

San Francisco, CA (April 24, 2019) – An independent, five-year, longitudinal study measuring Genesys Works’ impact on youth found that students completing the high school internship program were more likely to enroll and persist in college. Genesys Works Bay Area partnered with Harder+Company Community Research, a nationally recognized independent research firm, in 2013 to conduct an evaluation of the youth work-based learning program. The research firm tracked Genesys Works program participants and comparison cohorts through five school years. As measured against two comparison groups, the findings showed that the Genesys Work program had a positive impact on students:

• high school graduation rates were 9%-15% higher
• college enrollment rates were 3%-26% higher
• college persistence rates were 5%-16% higher than the comparison groups

The Harder+Company study found that students completing the Genesys Works program showed increased confidence in the classroom, were more comfortable in professional settings, felt more optimistic about their career options, and were more knowledgeable about their postsecondary options.

“The Genesys Works program is making an impact in the Bay Area and across the nation. The  results of the Harder+Company study prove that our model works and we are proud to serve the students who benefit most from meaningful, work-based learning,” said David Williams, Genesys Works President and CEO. “The youth we work with live in underserved communities, and this rigorous evaluation shows that participating in Genesys Works clearly enables them to change the course of their future.”

The evaluation included three components: an implementation study, an outcome study, and an impact study. This report was produced with funding from GreenLight Fund and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Social Innovation Fund (SIF) program.*

Harder+Company works with public- and social-sector organizations across the United States to learn about their impact and sharpen their strategies to advance social change. Since 1986, their data-driven, culturally responsive approach has helped hundreds of organizations contribute to positive social impact for vulnerable communities.

“At Harder+Company, we focus on helping organizations like Genesys Works gain a better understanding of their success in executing equity-focused and place-based programs,” said Michelle Magee, President of Harder+Company. “It’s encouraging to see the results of this longitudinal study and know that the program is making a positive impact in the lives of its participants.”

View the full evaluation report here:
//genesysworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GWBA-SIF-Final-Report.pdf

*The contents of this study do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the funding agency. SIF was a program that received funding from 2010 to 2016 from CNCS, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the nation’s volunteer and service efforts. Using public and private resources to find and grow community-based nonprofits with evidence of results, SIF intermediaries received funding to award subgrants that focus on overcoming challenges in economic opportunity, healthy futures, and youth development. Although CNCS made its last SIF intermediary awards in fiscal year 2016, SIF intermediaries will continue to administer their subgrant programs until their federal funding is exhausted.

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About Genesys Works

Genesys Works provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. Our program consists of 8 weeks of technical and professional skills training, a paid year-long corporate internship, college and career coaching, and alumni support to and through college.  Our goal is to move more students out of poverty and into professional careers, creating a more productive and diverse workforce in the process.  Since its founding in 2002, Genesys Works has grown to serve nearly 4,000 students annually in Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington’s National Capital Region.   To learn more, visit genesysworks.org.

About Harder+Company Community Research

Harder+Company blends sophisticated research methods with real-world insights to help clients better understand their work. Since 1986, it has conducted rigorous evaluations, guided learning processes, and advised clients on strategies for the future. From its earliest days, Harder+Company has had a deep commitment to amplifying the voices of underrepresented and underserved communities–and working across sectors to promote lasting change. To do this, Harder+Company’s researchers use creative, culturally-responsive approaches to engaging communities and building the capacity of clients and their partners. Read more here: //harderco.com

About GreenLight Fund

The GreenLight Fund helps transform the lives of children, youth and families in high-poverty urban areas by creating local infrastructure and a consistent annual process to: Identify critical needs, import innovative, entrepreneurial programs that can have a significant, measurable impact, and galvanize local support to help programs reach and sustain impact in the new city. We envision a national network of GreenLight Fund cities, working together and learning from each other to harness the vision and ambition of social entrepreneurs and accelerate the spread of proven programs that make lasting change for children, youth and families. Read more here: //greenlightfund.org

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