BJM Youth Department Cumulative Report

OUR THEORY OF CHANGE ON ITS FEET™

Because Justice Matters builds pathways to brighter futures for women and girls in urban communities.

LIFE-CHANGING RESULTS OF

BECAUSE JUSTICE MATTERS YOUTH DEPARTMENT CUMULATIVE REPORT 2014-2020

ANALYSIS & REPORT BY

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BECAUSE JUSTICE MATTERS (BJM) is an extension of YWAM, a nonprofit organization based in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco with a mission to: •

spark a cultural shift for women

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expand women's experiences of holistic healing and freedom

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support an integrated life that embraces spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental dimensions

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prepare generations of grassroot leaders who work authentically to produce social change

To advance this mission, BJM’s YOUTH DEPARTMENT works with young women to create possibilities that would otherwise be unavailable to them, remind women of who they are, and guide them on journeys of self-discovery, friendship, community, and social action.

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Three Youth Department programs: 1. Girls (ages 5-18) participate in Creative Arts classes, where they develop their artistic voice and confidence through choreography, leadership skills, relationship with a mentor, and peer support.

2. Girls (5th-8th grade) participate in Lily Club, where they forge life-giving relationships, participate in social justice activities, and develop critical thinking and leadership skills.

3. Girls (9th-12th grade) participate in IGNITE, where they build healthy relationships with peers and mentors, advance their spiritual development, engage in community service, and initiate future life trajectories.

Historical Snapshot. In 2013, pilot dance classes were tested with 16 neighborhood girls. The next year, formal dance classes were launched, and we had our first recital. In 2015, partnerships were forged to allow program expansion. Informal case management was initiated for girls and their families. 2016 marked the beginning of a homework club. We had our first theater classes. Dance classes continued, although paused for a bit due to flooding of our old facility. In 2017, strong relationships with middle school girls and their families yielded increased demand.

Dance classes and homework club continued weekly. At year-end, a volunteer became staff (20-hours/week), and our programs really gained traction. Neighborhood legitimacy increased. With the addition of a ballet teacher, a rhythm of biannual recitals was established.

By 2018, we served a large enough population to divide girls into classes based on skill-level and emotional maturity, enabling us to incorporate deeper discipleship into some classes. We also launched community engagement classes.

Lily Club, our leadership development initiative for 5th–8th grade girls, launched that same year. In 2019, we started tap dance classes. Lily Club brought in women from different fields to talk about their professions and expand our girls’ vision for themselves. We explored theater and music classes, and developed a more holistic creative arts program. As some of our girls transitioned from middle school to high school, we launched a weekly IGNITE group for high school students. In April 2020, when Shelter-in-Place began, we were quick to pivot to virtual programming.

Andrea, age 11, was asked what she wants to do when she grows up.

Andrea confided in our Youth Department Director, Gabby, “I want to do what you do. I want to have kids over to my house, take kids on trips, and teach them about God.” Gabby responded, “That’s called a youth pastor. So, you want to be a youth pastor?" Andrea replied, “Yes, I want to be a youth pastor!”

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Theory of Change. The results in this report are based on data collected using SEED Impact’s Theory of Change on Its Feet™. This framework guides our visioning, goal-setting, and ongoing assessment of results for each BJM department and the organization as whole.

Our Youth Department began by clarifying the vision of brighter futures we hold for the girls in our programs, institutional partners, and volunteers. We then translated the vision to define measurable, progressive results for each outcome target. Achieving our short and medium-term results greatly increases the likelihood that long-range, lifechanging outcomes can be attained. This is the outcome performance model we use:

Upon conducting data analysis for this report, SEED Impact attests that BJM's Youth Department's: •

goals are tied to a larger theory of change and vision for long-term social impact

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staff have been diligent in tracking outcomes that make a difference

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outcomes are advancing year-to-year

Youth Department Outcome Targets: 1.

Girls in Creative Arts

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Girls in Lily Club

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Girls in IGNITE

4. Community Resources & Schools 5.

Youth Department Volunteers

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“BJM brings hope to a lot of women that are on the street and also to kids that are in the Tenderloin. In the future, I hope to see a community where we all come together and celebrate each other. I hope to be someone who helps people … to be courageous and believe in others. There’s hope…”

— Ana, Age 15

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1. GIRLS IN CREATIVE ARTS THEORY OF CHANGE

The Creative Arts program is strength-based and ageappropriate in instruction. We focus on the whole child within the whole family. We provide a safe, trusting, and encouraging environment for exploring new arts. We are goal-oriented and strive for excellence by motivating girls to take ownership of the classes and step into leadership roles.

2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 13 girls participating regularly • 8 continued to mature artistically and spiritually • 4 bringing artistic voice and leadership skills into community 18 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to July 2020

GIRLS IN CREATIVE ARTS CLASSES IMPACTED BY YOUTH DEPARTMENT 2014–2020

CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 15 Love-to-See (9%) Bringing artistic voice and leadership skills into community 36 Like-to-See (22%) Continued to mature artistically and spiritually 112 Expect-to-See (69%) Participated regularly

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2. GIRLS IN LILY CLUB THEORY OF CHANGE

Lily Club was launched in 2018 as a space for middle school girls to explore and apply their faith in community together alongside adult mentors. In 2019, a focus on professions was added; women from various fields including photography and software engineering met with the girls. Lily Club also hosted a party for our girls’ entire families.

2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 1 girl participated regularly • 3 continued to mature spiritually and in social consciousness • 3 applying leadership skills within their communities 50 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to July 2020

GIRLS IN LILY CLUB IMPACTED BY YOUTH DEPARTMENT 2018–2020

"Before, I felt nervous and shy. I have grown to be more adventurous and braver since I've been here, especially as a part of Lily Club! This week I ran into the ocean for the very first time with my Lily Club leaders which was so fun! I love being a part of BJM.” —Elena, Age 11

CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 3 Love-to-See (14%) Applying leadership skills in their communities 11 Like-to-See (52%) Continued to mature spiritually in social consciousness 7 Expect-to-See (33%) Participated regularly

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3. GIRLS IN IGNITE THEORY OF CHANGE

IGNITE was launched in 2019 as an open space for high school girls to develop confidence and take ownership of their spiritual walk. They gain comfort by praying in group settings and experiencing a deeper growth in faith. Volunteer and community service pathways allow the girls to give back to their communities.

2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 2 girls new to program, participated regularly • 1 continued to mature spiritually and in social consciousness • 1 advancing on life journey with passion and skills 100 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to July 2020

GIRLS IN IGNITE IMPACTED BY YOUTH DEPARTMENT 2019–2020

CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 1 Love-to-See (12%) Advancing on life journey with passion and skills 4 Like-to-See (50%) Continued to mature spiritually and in social consciousness 3 Expect-to-See (38%) Participated regularly

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4. COMMUNITY RESOURCES & SCHOOLS THEORY OF CHANGE

Since its founding, BJM has been serving on the ground in the community, which has given it credibility. BJM has built a strong reputation and working partnerships with dozens of organizations, and our influence extends beyond the girls we serve. The Youth Department approaches these relationships with clear identity and vision, and works to co-create programs that are adaptable to various spaces and needs.

2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 3 initiated organizational plans or partnerships with BJM • 4 developed mutually beneficial youth programming • 10 co-developing a model with BJM to reach broader audience 27 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to July 2020

COMMUNITY RESOURCES & SCHOOLS IMPACTED BY YOUTH DEPARTMENT 2014–2020

Our girls engaged in community service in the Tenderloin, including acting as baristas for Community Nights at YWAM SF. The Youth Department built a strong relationship with United Playaz, a local violence prevention, youth development organization. Through collaborating with them for a summer dance camp, we created relationships with 40 new students.

CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 44 Love-to-See (54%) Co-developing a model to reach broader audience 19 Like-to-See (23%) Developed mutually beneficial youth programming 18 Expect-to-See (22%) Initiated plans or partnerships

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5. YOUTH DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEERS THEORY OF CHANGE

From its beginnings, BJM has depended on volunteers to support program delivery and to expand the range and quality of activities offered. We are blessed to be able to provide each girl with mentorship and one-on-one support, as needed.

2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 1 began volunteering and built connection with BJM • 5 expanded role and became more invested in BJM • 4 providing invaluable leadership and passion 23 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to 2020

VOLUNTEERS IMPACTED BY YOUTH DEPARTMENT 2014–2020 CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 27 Love-to-See (56%) Providing invaluable leadership and passion 15 Like-to-See (31%) Expanded role and became more invested in BJM 6 Expect-to-See (13%) Began volunteering and built connection with BJM

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Contact SEED Impact for more information on our Theory of Change on Its Feet™ FOLLOW US

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