Incentives for out-of-school youth pgms <digest>

[Monica Biswas]

Hello YouthLearn-
There were a series of great thoughts with regards to the issue of
incentives for youth in out-of-school programs that was posed by Tracie
Layton on August 5, 2002.  Thanks Tracie, for the profound question about
incentives, which has shed light on how we motivate our young people, what
message that sends about the role youth play in the program, and how to tie
incentives into our broader program goals.  I've created a mini-digest of
the responses to reduce clutter in your inboxes.

Enjoy the discussion  :)
-Monica

Here are your thoughts from your colleages:
** ldarby at harlemchildrenszone.org
** Mark Rauterkus <Mark at Rauterkus.com>
** Mary Lou Boughton <M_Boughton at gkuw.org>
** Cindy Samuels <csamuels at cobblestone-associates.com>

___________________________________________
MESSAGE 1:
From: ldarby at harlemchildrenszone.org

You have a great start already.

If possible I would increase the number of classes per week: offer a
biweekly stipend: offer monthly trips: attendance incentive is great:
monthly recognition awards/certificates: provide food for each session (not
chips): link them to employment via internships/apprenticeships or
employment: college trips: although not an incentive offer a staff person
to assist them with potential issues/concerns.

Good luck. That is a difficult population to engage.

__________________________________________
MESSAGE 2:
From: "Mark Rauterkus" <Mark at Rauterkus.com>
Hi,

> My idea as of right now is to offer then an incentive to come to our
class once a week.

IMHO, you need to get to "internal motivations" rather than "external" ones
right from the outset. Toss away both the carrot and the stick.

Young people (14-21) are aware of what's what. You can't fool them and
shouldn't even try. Self-respct is such a prime mover that you can't
compromise it as a central value in the overall program.

> They will recieve something at the end of month for all of the classes
that they have attended.  The problem is that I need to have a GREAT
incentive.

Great incentives are internal ones.

> Some of the ideas were:  $6-10 for each class they attend, which will be
put on a gift card for a store of their choice at the end of the month,
gift certificates for restaurants, movies, groceries, or gas.  I need to
know which would best entice them.  I would welcome any ideas that you may
have...

Go back to the drawing board. What if you run out of trinkets?

Learning is a valued activity.

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus
mark at Rauterkus.com  http://Rauterkus.com

___________________________________________
MESSAGE 3:
From:  "Mary Lou Boughton" <M_Boughton at gkuw.org>

Food is always a good incentive!  How about getting local restaurants to
sponsor each session by bringing food and then talk about what they want in
future employees?  By giving the corporations some time to talk about
training they put their staff through and different levels of jobs they
hire, ages of employees, and so on, you're doing part of your training
while the kids eat!  Movie theaters hire lots of kids - they could come
with popcorn.

Whatever the job market is in your area, the people from Public Relations
and Employment could help you out.  Companies that don't have food
available on sight likely can spring for a plate of cookies for the
opportunity to speak to future job applicants.

Also, ask each for something to save for a "last class drawing".  A
restaurant, store or theater could donate a gift certificate, any business
has corporate logo items... each time a kid attends a class they get one
entry in the drawing.  By staying to the end of class, they get another
entry.  You could give extra entry chances for things such as bringing a
friend - skill building - grades - whatever.  Then, on the last session,
have a drawing for each of the items, telling the kids they must be present
to win.

Good luck!

Mary Lou Boughton
Youth Development Initiatives: YUW/KYDN/PeaceJam
709 South Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
616-343-2524   fax 616-344-7250

___________________________________________
MESSAGE 4:
From:  Cindy Samuels <csamuels at cobblestone-associates.com>

I suggest meeting with some local businesses and getting them to donate
rewards.  If they need workers or want more employed and therefore
financially viable customers they will find it in their interest to offer
coupons for their restaurants, athletic shoes, ice cream, one gas station
fill-up etc.  Maybe the kids who are already in the program can go out and
solicit the donations, which invests them further in the process too.
Another way to seek donations is to get a couple of high school kids with
community service requirements and deputize them to seek donations as part
of their community service obligations.

Tower or Borders music, independent record stores, local radio stations
(they get all kinds of "review" records they could donate), local concert
venues for two free tickets for the kids who improve the most - etc.

Good luck.

Cindy Samuels

Cynthia Samuels, Managing Partner
Cobblestone Associates LLP
202-338-6251
csamuels at cobblestone-associates.com

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