Research Studies

RESEARCH SHOWS CITY YEAR ALUMNI ARE LEADERS FOR LIFE

Data from a nationwide study reveals that men and women who serve community and country as City Year corps members become active citizens. The study, conducted by Policy Studies Associates (PSA), a leading research firm, indicates that on every established major indicator of civic engagement, City Year alumni excel.

Specific results include:

VOTING: When compared with the voting behavior of 18 to 40-year-olds in the national population, City Year alumni were 45% more likely to vote.
VOLUNTEERING: Nearly 70% of City Year alumni volunteer 10 hours a month, making them 65% more likely to be engaged in volunteer activities than similarly situated individuals in the national population.
LEADERSHIP: At least 90% of alumni reported that their City Year experience contributed to their ability to lead others.
DIVERSITY: More than 90% of alumni reported that their City Year experience contributed to their ability to work as part of a team and work with people from diverse backgrounds.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: Three-quarters of alumni reported that City Year contributed to their ability to solve problems in their communities.
MEMBERSHIP: More than 75% of City Year alumni belong to a community group or civic organization, compared with 29% of similarly situated members of the national population.
EDUCATION: 81% of alumni completed additional school after City Year, including 83% of alumni who came to City Year without a GED or high school diploma.

We are pleased to provide online the full texts of:

The City Year Experience: Putting Alumni on a Path to Lifelong Civic Engagement
City Year Parent Study: Exploring City Year’s Impact on Younger Alumni and Their Parents
The Effect of the City Year Experience Over Time: Findings from the Longitudinal Study of Alumni
PSA Summary

RESEARCH SHOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS LED BY CORPS MEMBERS MAKE GAINS

A survey of middle school students who are Young Heroes – a middle school service initiative led by City Year corps members – provided some insight into how youth feel about the Young Heroes program and the impact that it has upon them.

Survey results include:

INCLUSIVITY: 95% of Young Heroes said they made friends with people from different backgrounds.
POSITIVE ASSESSMENT: 95% of Young Heroes said they had fun learning and serving.
SENSE OF EFFICACY: 95% of Young Heroes felt like they made a difference.
LEARNING: More than 90% of Young Heroes said they do things differently outside of Young Heroes because of what they learned in the program.
COMMITMENT: 85% of Young Heroes said they were somewhat or very likely to participate in community service on a regular basis in the next few years.

We are pleased to provide: