Return on Investment

100% of Open Doors Alumni succesfully graduate high school, with 90% headed to college....

Open Doors Academy has been a highly valued and respected organization for the last eight years.  Its’ model has been recognized by many of local Universities, like-minded agencies, and community leaders.  In the mid-report baselines of the Open Doors 2008 evaluation, alumni surveyed indicated:  indicated that 100% of respondents believe that Open Doors helped them organize their academic priorities, provide them a safe space to go, helped build trusting relationships and friendships with peers, and build trusting relationships with adults. 

 “It is clear the majority of students like participating in Open doors and are gaining important skills and are being exposed to many issues and activities that they may not have had an opportunity to become involved in without Open Doors. It is truly amazing the number of youth who are willing to speak to at least one staff member about personal issues.  On the whole students seem to perceive their involvement in Open Doors as an important part of their development.” - Gina Weisblat, Ph.D., Cleveland State University College of Urban Affairs

The results of a program evaluation, conducted by Dr. Weisblat indicated that six activities were implemented with relatively high intensity:

  1. Homework help
  2. Organized role play activities designed for advanced learning in economics, humanities and life experience
  3. Recreational debate and analysis of any given subject
  4. Community meetings (civics)
  5. Recreational games
  6. Organized community events

 

The evaluation found strong evidence of the following outcomes in daily Open Doors programming: 

Enriched learning opportunities that complement school-day learning, utilize project-based learning, and explore new skills and knowledge;

Effective partnerships that promote learning and community engagement;

Intentional linkages between school-day and after-school staff including coordinating and maximizing use of resources and facilities;

Appropriate attention to safety, health, and nutrition issues;

Strong family involvement in participants’ learning and development;

Open Doors participants use diverse resources (including print, electronic, and human) to improve on individual capacity and community building;

Open Doors community has a higher rate of social capital than other communities in which students are engaged


In 2009, Open Doors Alumni were surveyed as to their experiences with Open Doors, On a scale of 1 to 5, rate how the following statements apply to you: (  ) = mean response

I believe that Open Doors helped me organize my academic priorities. (3.9)
Open Doors provides me with a safe space in case I am in trouble.  (4.7)
Open Doors provides me with a safe space to discuss important issues. (3.9)
Open Doors helped me build trusting friendships with other students. (4.7)
Open Doors helped me build trusting relationships with adults. (4.6)
Open Doors helped me build a better relationship with my community. (4.3)
I trust Open Doors staff. (4.8)
I trust Open Doors alumni members. (4.6)
I want to stay involved with the Open Doors program. (4.5)
Programs like Open Doors help kids be the best they can be. (4.6)
Open Doors has influenced me. (4.7)