DATA SHOWS SYCAMORE RESULTS — Those involved with the Sycamore Youth Corps program received the results from data collected last fiscal year. The results show the Ohio Valley Youth Network’s Sycamore Youth Center has seen a 23 percent to a 47 percent significant improvement in key life and job-readiness skills in students. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Ohio Valley Youth Network’s Sycamore Youth Center is doing more than just offering programs to local youth. It is proving exactly how the nonprofit makes a measurable difference in their lives.

Using data collected from the last fiscal year and running it in a professional statistical research software program, IBM SPSS, the OVYN and Sycamore recently completed a year-long study which evaluates the effectiveness of its Sycamore Service Corps program.

The results were impressive, according to Bobbyjon Bauman, Sycamore’s executive director and board president of the OVYN.

“After researching 153 program days, students showed a 23 percent to a 47 percent statistically-significant improvement in key life and job-readiness skills,” Bauman stated. “These aren’t just feel-good results. This is scientific proof that our kids are growing in meaningful, measurable ways.”

Among the most-improved areas were hygiene habits, personal safety awareness, the development of hobbies and interests, setting goals outside of the program and forming positive friendships. In total, 30 different life and workforce-development skills were assessed, with 25 showing measurable gains.

The center is also tracking progress in four nationally-recognized SNaPCLaP skill areas, being social-emotional, perceptual, creativity and physical development. Quarterly data reviews will continue to ensure consistent growth and long-term impact, Bauman noted.

“It is one thing to say that students have made improvements in areas, and it is a higher level of certainty when you can say that a quality has statistical significance,” stated Theresa Paterra, a doctor of education and manager of the Center for Student Success and Adjunct Faculty at Belmont College.

“The Ohio Valley Youth Network and Sycamore Youth Center have initiated the proof that their program works,” Paterra added.

The nonprofits will continue to run a quarterly analysis of the Sycamore Service Corps, using IBM SPSS, to ensure that the program is hitting all 30 life and job skills, as well as four out of six SNaPCLaP skills.

“Congratulations on this great feat to help the children and young adults in the community gain skills for life and work,” Paterra concluded.

Located in downtown Steubenville, the Sycamore Youth Center serves hundreds of children and teens across Jefferson County and surrounding areas offering free enrichment programs, mentorship, meals and job-readiness training.

“This level of accountability gives our community confidence,” Bauman added. “We’re not just keeping kids off the streets — we’re preparing them for life.”

Anyone interested in joining the Sycamore Corps or learning more about the youth programs offered at the Sycamore Youth Center, can contact Bauman at the Ohio Valley Youth Network at sycamorecenter.com.