Data and Outcomes
CWU’s Research and Innovation Department continually evaluates our work, tracking outcomes and measuring program performance. By closely monitoring our programs and incorporating client feedback, we endeavor to develop replicable models, establish best practices, and share lessons learned in order to broaden the impact of our success.
CWU bases its approach to helping families overcome poverty on its Bridge to Self-Sufficiency™ Theory of Change model. This model posits that an individual must attain explicitly defined objectives in five areas—family stability, well-being, education and training, financial management, and employment and career management—in order to achieve economic self-sufficiency. We document clients’ experiences and progress and our own efforts according to these categories.
View Recent CWU Program Outcomes Below
Family Stability Outcomes
- 97% of families receiving CWU stabilization services, which provide families with 18 months of critical support during the transition from homelessness to stable permanent housing, remained permanently housed during FY11.
- CWU increased the number of homeless families placed into safe, affordable, permanent housing by 166% between FY10 and FY11.
- 82% of eligible children residing at Hastings House participate in playgroups. Playgroups provide homeless children with an important opportunity to develop and grow. Additionally, playgroups allow parents free time to focus on their self-sufficiency goals by attending personal finance workshops, ESOL classes, or community meetings.
Well-being Outcomes
- 70% of adults existing CWU programs during FY11 report an increase in the number of people they can turn to for advice, support, and guidance.
- 62% of Career Family Opportunity participants (CFOs) whose quality of life was assessed in both FY10 and FY11 reported an overall increase in their well-being in FY11!
-
Forty-eight former and current CWU program participants actively participated in CWU’s Voices Advocacy Council (VAC) during FY11. While empowering women to be strong advocates for themselves and their families, the VAC advocates for policy changes to improve the lives of low-income women. This year ,the VAC advocated for four bills CWU filed with the state:
- An Act to Improve the Educational Rewards Grant Program to Assist Low-Income Workers, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry(D-Dorchester) was recently reported favorably out of its first committee.
- An Act to Promote Financial Stability and Asset Development, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Dorchester) was recently reported favorably out of its first committee.
- NEW BILL: An Act to Form a Commission on For-Profit Schools, sponsored by Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) and Rep. Tom Sannicandro (D-Ashland).
- NEW BILL: An Act Establishing a Middle-Skills Council and The Creation of Regional Skills Academies in the Commonwealth, sponsored by Sen. Kenneth Donnelly (D-Arlington) and Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera (D-Springfield).
Education and Training Outcomes
- 97% of FY 11 Woman to Woman program graduates enrolled in school, started an internship, or are employed. Woman to Woman is a 12-week program that helps place low-income women on a course towards higher education or a career that will lead to economic self-sufficiency.
- During FY11, CWU’s GED program graduated 19 students who successfully passed the GED exam. This is the highest number of graduates among the 27 total Boston area GED programs!
- In 2010, 76% of CWU GED students who completed the GED exam successfully passed compared to 67% of completers statewide and 73% nationwide in 2010*.
* 2010 GED Testing Program Statistical Report. Compiled by American Council on Education and GED Testing Service. 2011.
Annual Performance Report of Massachusetts Workforce Development Services and Programs. Report on FY2010 Programs. Compiled by Commonwealth Corporation. November 2010.
Financial Management Outcomes
- By the end of FY11, 89% of Career Family Opportunity (CFO) program participants have opened an IDA account and have saved $18,843.38 plus a CWU match! Because most low-income families do not have a financial cushion, asset development contributes to long-term financial stability for families.
- CWU is partnered with the National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project to advise participants on student loan debt issues. During FY11, 76% of participants who received student loan assistance have either resolved or are taking positive steps to resolve their student loan debt. The resolution of student loan debt issues removes a financial burden and a major barrier to furthering higher education.
Employment and Career Management Outcomes
- At the end of FY11, 62% of Career Family Opportunity program participants were employed with an average wage of $14.71. This is 62% higher than the Massachusetts minimum wage.
- 79 CWU program participants started a new job during FY11. This represents an 84% increase in employment gains between FY10 and FY11.
