Does it make a difference? Evaluation of a Canadian poverty reduction initiative

• Published in: Evaluation and program planning 2020-06, Vol.80, p.101817-6, Article 101817
• Main Authors: Prentice, Dawn, Engel, Joyce, Boggs, Jeff
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antipoverty programs; Community organizations; Content analysis; Locus of control; Organizational Objectives; Past performance; Poverty; Program evaluation; Self Efficacy; Sense of control; Social networks; Social policy; Social programs; Social services; Testimonials
• ISSN: 0149-7189; 1873-7870
• DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2020.101817

•Building social networks are important to reducing isolation.•Participants see social networks as increasing capabilities.•Program evaluation needs to be congruent with the goals of the organization.•Testimonials can be used to evaluate satisfaction with poverty reduction programs. Program evaluation is an important aspect of any organization. The ability to reflect on past performance and plan for the future is essential to an organization’s health and future growth. This exploratory study is part of a larger program evaluation initiative that examined the efficacy of a regionally based organization that provided funding to community groups to alleviate poverty. The purpose of the study was to explore testimonials provided by participants of the organization’s funded programs, to determine if the participants were satisfied with the programs and the extent to which participants’ perceptions are congruent with the goals of the organization. Content analysis was used to examine 3494 testimonials from 77 different agencies. Three overall themes were determined from the analysis: 1 Developing Social Networks, 2 Learning Comes in Various Forms, and 3 Developing Self-Efficacy. Findings from the testimonials suggest that the benefits of the programs are highly social and that connections with others are important, but also provide rich opportunities for learning new skills and knowledge, as well as gaining confidence and a sense of control. The findings from this analysis support one goal of the organization which is to engage people living in poverty in meaningful ways.