Print This

Preview

Community Information

Name

Young Voices

Location

204 Westminster St. Providence, RI

Outcome

Teen

Geographical Type

Town/City

Organizations

1

Market Statement

Program Implementation

In its first year, the CYFAR program established a Youth Advisory Team of 28 students total, 14 from Providence Public Library and 14 from Young Voices, that collaborated with Dr. Tolani Olagundoye to shape learning objectives and promote the course. Students met on a biweekly basis for 90 minute sessions, alternating between Providence Public Library and Young Voices program sites. Youth represented a diverse blend of both public and private charter schools from the Providence area, and all were in Grades 9-12. Through the regular guidance and mentorship of Dr. Olagundoye, youth actively contributed to the Roots of Resilience 4H learning objectives and were able to submit a full course proposal to the University of Rhode Island's Internal Review Board (IRB) in February of 2025.

Community Integration

Young Voices made significant progress toward integrating community into CYFAR by fostering strong partnerships with URI faculty and personnel while creating opportunities for youth engagement beyond the classroom. This program represents an ongoing collaboration among the University of Rhode Island, Providence Public Library, and local schools to provide students with enriched learning environments and offer postsecondary credit. Securing approval to create and build out a unique three-credit Advanced Placement equivalent course requires the willing participation of officials from both URI's IRB and the Rhode Island Department of Education, all of which had to be navigated by Dr. Olagundoye and her program site providers. Through our own recruitment and staffing efforts, Young Voices ensured that the program was deeply connected to local resources and stakeholders, thus enhancing its impact and sustainability.

Technology Integration

Young Voices successfully integrated technology into CYFAR at various touchpoints to enhance learning, communication, and engagement. Virtual meetings were utilized among site providers and Dr. Olagundoye for planning, coordination, and curriculum development, ensuring accessibility and flexibility throughout the year. Digital platforms were also leveraged for program promotion, allowing students to create and share learning materials online. Additionally, CYFAR participants engaged in research, media, and information literacy activities during program time, equipping them with essential technological skills.

Sustaining

Throughout the first year of its CYFAR project, Young Voices has established several new and productive long-term partnerships with URI and Providence Public Library, secured necessary resources to operate during extended program hours, and created a structured recruitment pipeline to enroll students in the course next year. Our collaboration with the University of Rhode Island ensures continued academic opportunities for students, including the chance to earn college credits without the need to pass an Advanced Placement exam. The Youth Advisory Team plays a crucial role in shaping and promoting the program, fostering peer-driven engagement and continuity. Additionally, financial sustainability is supported through diligent fiscal management, timely reporting, and detailed resource allocation for essential elements such as staffing, transportation, and materials.

Form A - Age Group by Ethnicity and Race

	Pre-K	K-6	Youth (Grades 7-12)	Parents
Total Participants	0	0	14	0
Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino	0	0	11	0
Not Hispanic or Latino	0	0	3	0
Race
White	0	0	2	0
Black or African-American	0	0	3	0
American Indian or Alaska Native	0	0	0	0
Asian	0	0	0	0
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0	0	0	0
Persons indicating more than one race	0	0	0	0

Form B - Poverty Risk Factor

Total Number of Children Pre K: 0

Percent in Poverty: 0.00%

Total Number of Children K - 6: 0

Percent in Poverty: 0.00%

Total Number Youth Grade 7 - 12: 14

Percent in Poverty: 56.50%

Form C - Staff and Volunteers by Ethnicity/Race

	Extension Staff (FTE's)	Other Paid CYFAR Project Staff (FTE's)	Youth Volunteers	Adult Volunteers
Total Participants	7.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino	4.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Not Hispanic or Latino	3.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Race
White	1.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Black or African-American	1.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
American Indian or Alaska Native	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Asian	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	1.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Persons indicating more than one race	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

Approximate hours contributed by Adult Volunteers: 0.00

Approximate hours contributed by Youth Volunteers:0.00

Form D - Computers and Technology

Computers at all sites funded through sources other than CYFAR: 9

Form E - Youth Delivery Methods and Program Contents

Form F - Adult Delivery Methods and Program Contents

Form G - 4-H Clubs

Total Number of Clubs: 0

Total Number of Children K - 6: 0

Total Number of Youth Grades 7 - 12: 0

Total Number of Youth Volunteers 0

Total Number of Adult Volunteers 0