URBAN INSTITUTE
CREDIBLE MESSENGER COMMUNITY RESEARCH
This participatory mixed-methods project is a quasi-experimental study to identify how “credible messenger” (CM) mentoring programs can promote positive youth development and facilitate youth healing in structurally marginalized and justice-impacted communities. Community Sites/Partners Three sites: • Birmingham, Alabama (Offender Alumni Association) • Houston, Texas (The Forgotten Third, Credible Messengers United) • Atlanta, Georgia (Offender Alumni Association) Objectives • Conduct a deep dive into how CM mentoring can promote positive youth development and improve young people’s behavioral outcomes, while accounting for structural systems of oppression affecting their daily lives; • Integrate a community-based participatory approach that uplifts community expertise and strengthens the community research capacity of CM programs moving forward; • Assess the quasi-experimental impact of “credible messenger” mentoring programs in three racially and ethnically diverse U.S. communities by comparing youth outcomes over a period of 36 months; and • Report and disseminate findings broadly to reach CM mentoring programs, youth community service providers, juvenile justice advocates, and research and practice audiences working to reduce the justice impact on historically marginalized youth. Community Engagement • Training Community Researchers to design and conduct life event calendar surveys and focus groups • Community Researchers and Advisory Board will provide input on methodology and instruments • Data Walks will be hosted in the communities to share about the project and gain input Methods • Document Review (i.e., program and site-related documents and materials including, but not limited to, job solicitations, training materials, referral processes, program manuals, assessments, evaluation reports, and media reports) • Staff and Partner Interviews (e.g., CMs, youth advocates, community leaders, family activists, juvenile justice officers, local funders, agency representatives) (n=30-45) • Youth Focus Groups (n=60) • Program Data Analysis • Administrative Data Analysis • Youth Life Event Calendar Surveys (3 years retrospective) (n=300) Deliverables • Final technical report to NIJ • Summary factsheets • Logic models for each site • Practitioner-researcher-focused brief or blog series • Scholarly manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal • Action-focused webinar Staff • Co-PIs: Bree Boppre and John Eason • Project Manager: Lauren Farrell • Research Assistants: Russell Rowe and Sam Bachman • Senior Advisor: Jennifer Yahner