Our Impact | MyCom Cleveland Youth Employment

MyCom Achievements 2008-2020

MyCom has achieved significant milestones in its mission to help youth connect to support systems, navigate the challenges of adolescence and mature into productive members of the community.

• Increased Network Connections.  MyCom has developed into a fully functional network comprised of nearly 300 neighborhood service providers in 17 neighborhoods monitored by 17 neighborhood lead agencies supported by an oversight network of technical assistance lead agencies that have a common mission:  the provision of technical assistance and training of MyCom personnel. 
• Program-internal Assessment Capacity. MyCom has successfully implemented a management information system in neighborhood agencies that tracks youth achievements over time as they complete school-year and summer activities in multiple neighborhoods. Data collection capacity permits empirical analysis that documents MyCom’s effects on youth and neighborhood development. 
• Services Connecting to Youth.  MyCom has implemented strategies that have helped develop a multi-functional support system that generates educational, recreational and career opportunities for youth within MyCom Neighborhoods. MyCom has allocated ample resources and provided a committed and dedicated leadership that mobilizes neighborhoods, engages youth, and enhances political and public will to support youth development.
• Quality Improvement.  Out-of-school time (OST) programs are assessed by quality assurance measures that ensure continuous improvement in youth programming and encourage youth engagement.  OST program fidelity ensures that programs meet quality assurance standards across neighborhoods and service providers.
• Out-of-School Time Outcomes. Analysis of multi-year Developmental Asset Profile (DAP) data revealed significant improvements in external assets such as youth empowerment, and internal youth assets such as positive identity, social competencies and positive values. Overall, 35-49% of youth at “poor” pretest asset levels improved 2 to 3 quartile levels across all 8 DAP domains.
• Summer Employment Outcomes.  Year after year, MyCom youth in summer employment programs report that their employment experiences have improved their confidence, enabled them to handle multiple situations, enhanced their social skills among peers and employers, and improved their outlook on the future by providing practical skills, such as job application preparation and interview skills.
• MyCom Network Strength.  MyCom has successfully aligned its Theory of Change with its youth program areas, such as neighborhood and youth engagement, youth leadership, age-related transitions and social and education support systems.
• MyCom Network Integration. MyCom has successfully established itself as a leader in neighborhood youth development activities and the engagement of youth as key leaders in the MyCom initiative.