FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

FOR HEALTHY LIVING

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

New York YMCA Youth Outlook Study

Sept. 10, 2013

YMCA Project Overview

New York City’s YMCA believes all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve, therefore, it focuses its program delivery on NYC kids and teens so they cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, bet ter hea l th and enhanced educat iona l ach ievement .

The YMCA conducted a survey of students who participate in Y programs versus those students who do not, in order to gain a better understanding of the Y’s impacts on those students.

Methodology

- The Youth Outlook Survey was fielded in person by YMCA personnel at select public schools across NYC during the Fall and Winter of 2012.

- Qualifying respondents were:

- Grades 9-12

- In High School

- Schools were chosen from all five boroughs

- Principle survey design was done by Nielsen with assistance from the YMCA

- YMCA administered the survey with a total of 500 YMCA respondents and 500 Non-YMCA respondents

- Respondents from Grover Cleveland who completed the survey received an incentive for their participation

- Scarborough Research processed the surveys and Nielsen analyzed the results

Executive Summary

The Y helps New York City Teens build education and

life skills.

Executive Summary

A Greater Share of YMCA Respondents:

• are optimistic about their future and have greater educational aspirations

• participate in extracurricular activities and community service

• spend less time on the internet and playing video games, and more time reading books

• strongly believe that avoiding drugs and alcohol is important to staying healthy

• have a greater control over their thoughts and emotions

• eat and drink healthy foods

6

NYC YOUTH MEDIA INSIGHTS

State Of Media Consumption By NY Teens

NY Teens spend on average 12% more time on the Internet than the National average

TV Viewership Nielsen Trend Analysis, M-Su 6A-6A Live+7, 1/1/12-12/31/12, P12-18

Online Viewership, M-SU, 1/1/12-12/31/12, P12-18

NY Teens spend 1.25 hours a day surfing the

internet

NY Teens spend 1

hour a day watching television

8

OUTLOOK

See Many Opportunities for the Future

D3_1. I have many opportunities available for my future (How much do you agree with each of the following statements?)

Greater share of YMCA Respondents agree

YMCA Respondents Non-YMCA Respondents

Feel More Positive About Future

Strongly Agree with the following statements:

D3_2. I am optimistic about my future (How much do you agree with each of the following statements?)

D3_11. I have the skills I need to be successful in life (How much do you agree with each of the following statements?)

Optimistic about Future

Have Skills to

Be Successful

52%

40%

47%

38%

YMCA Respondents Non-YMCA Respondents

College Is Part Of Their Future

70% of YMCA Respondents want to go to College

D2. Which of the following steps have you taken in preparation to go to college?

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MIND

Are Satisfied With Who They Are Similar share agree across both respondents

F4_1. I feel satisfied with who I am and where I am in my life (How much do you agree with each of the following?)

YMCA Respondents Non-YMCA Respondents

Have Strong And Stable Minds

Strongly Agree with the following beliefs:

F4_7. I have a healthy sense of humor and can laugh at life's imperfections (How much do you agree with each of the following?)

F4_2. I refuse to allow regrets and disappointments to cloud today" (How much do you agree with each of the following?)"

F4_8. I feel gratitude about how my life is now rather than focusing on what is lacking (How much do you agree with each of the following?)

F4_4. I tend to think rationally and optimistically (How much do you agree with each of the following?)

F4_5. I do not hold onto grudges and can forgive others for not living up to my expectations (How much do you agree with each of the following?)

15

BODY

Exercise Is A Regular Part of Life Similar share agree across both respondents

F1_1. Exercise is a regular part of my lifestyle (How much do you agree with this statement about your fitness/exercise activities?)

YMCA Respondents Non-YMCA Respondents

Taking Care Of What Goes In The Body

Agree and Strongly Agree that respondent “Eat and Drink Healthy Foods”

F1_3. I eat and drink healthy foods (How much do you agree with this statement about your fitness/exercise activities?)

Eating Healthy

76% 71%

YMCA Non-YMCA

More Likely To Participate In Extracurricular Activities

B1. In which of the following extracurricular activities do you currently participate?

School Sports Team

School Club

Volunteer Fitness

Programs Hobby Club

45%

28%

20% 19%

5% 9% 9%

14% 13%

11%

YMCA

Non-YMCA

Avoiding Drugs And Alcohol Is Key Agree with the statement “Avoiding Drugs and Alcohol is important to staying healthy”

F1_5. Avoiding drugs is important to staying healthy (How much do you agree with this statement about your fitness/exercise activities?)

F1_6. Avoiding alcohol is important to staying healthy (How much do you agree with this statement about your fitness/exercise activities?)

20

OUTREACH

Giving Back To My Community Is… Greater share of YMCA Respondents feel giving is important

B3_1. Giving back to my community (How important is each of the following to you?)

YMCA Respondents Non-YMCA Respondents

Giving To Others Is Very Important

Participate Regularly in Community Service

Non- YMCA Respondent

YMCA Respondent

YMCA Respondent

Non-YMCA Respondent

Help Those In Need

Very Important Important

B3_5. Participating regularly in community service or volunteering (How important is each of the following to you?)

B3_3. Finding ways to help those in need (How important is each of the following to you?)