Evaluation of the California Community Foundation's BLOOM Initiative Year Three Evaluation Report, 2014-2015

Dec 01, 2015
  • Description

The Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities for Men (BLOOM) Initiative was designed with the goal of redirecting Black male youth, ages 14-18-years-old involved with the Los Angeles County probation system, toward improved educational and employment opportunities and outcomes. Through strategic partnerships with three community-based organizations, the BLOOM Initiative seeks to redirect the paths of probation-involved young Black men, away from adult incarceration and towards meaningful education and employment opportunities. Utilizing a process and outcomes-focused evaluation, this report documents the successful progression of BLOOM youth participants, highlighting the development of a holistic model and best practices for serving probation-involved youth. Specifically, through two focus groups and depth interviews with 10 participants, BLOOM youth describe their experience with BLOOM partner organizations as having a deep and profound impact on their lives. The sum total of the data captures a comprehensive look of where the BLOOM program is after year three.