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Graduate Research Report
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Life After YouthBuild: 900 Graduates Reflect on Their Lives, Dreams and Experiences
New Research Reveals Positive Long-term Impact of YouthBuild Program
 In September 2003, researchers at Brandeis University and Temple University completed Life After YouthBuild, a study on almost 900 YouthBuild graduates conducted in collaboration with YouthBuild USA. A combination of detailed surveys of 882 YouthBuild graduates from more than 60 sites and in-depth interviews with a cross-section of 57 graduates from eight sites, the study was designed to contact a significant number of graduates to find out what they are doing, how they are doing, and how they evaluate their YouthBuild experience.
The results of the study were extremely positive. The full study is available on the YouthBuild USA Web site. Here is a snapshot of the lives of the 900 graduates who answered the survey:
- Sixty-five percent thought they would live longer by an average of 32 years—from 40 to 72.
- Seventy-five percent were currently working at an average wage of $10 an hour, going to school, or training for jobs.
- Seventy-six percent were receiving none of three government supports (food stamps, welfare, or unemployment benefits)
- Eighty percent exhibited none of three negative behaviors (sold marijuana or hard drugs, been convicted of a felony, or spent time in prison).
- Eighty-five percent were involved in at least one community-oriented activity.
- Ninety-one percent of the surveyed graduates gave positive evaluations of the overall YouthBuild experience, with sixty percent rating it “excellent.” Several recommendations intended to strengthen graduate services and programming after graduation emerged from the research. These include maintaining even more contact with graduates, continuing to provide assistance in job placement and advancement, and continuing to provide community service and leadership opportunities.
Download the Executive Summary(PDF)
Download the full report(PDF)
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