Raices Youth to Present Findings of Yearlong Research Project
- Details
- Created on Monday, 22 October 2012 21:04
- Written by IVN
Coachella, California - Raices Cultura's youth researchers will present the findings of their yearlong Youth Participatory Action Research project at the next BHC Collaborative meeting, scheduled for October 24, 2012 at the Bagdouma Park Community Center.
The report, “Youth Participatory Action Research on Recreational Opportunities in the Eastern Coachella Valley,” is being released in order to enrich current opportunities. The research is intended to help organizations develop or make positive changes for the needs of youth through youth and adult partnerships with the hopes of a more integrated and active community.
Youth researchers were successful in collecting nearly 635 youth surveys and 159 adult surveys from residents throughout the Eastern Coachella Valley. Based on the data gathered youth identified the following:
· Youth in the City of Coachella would like to see more opportunities for art and culture
· Youth in the community of Mecca would like to see more workshops on environmental issues.
· Youth in Thermal, said their community's biggest problem was a lack of community involvement and would like to see more youth oriented activities.
· For youth in Oasis and North Shore transportation is a factor that greatly affects their access to recreational opportunities.
· Adult data showed that 71.8% of adult participants are not aware of the current opportunities available to youth.
The Youth Participatory Action Research group consists of thirty youth, of which fifteen developed and analyzed their community around the issue of available recreational opportunities around the eastern Coachella Valley. The report provides an analysis from varied sources and tools of the current recreational opportunities available to youth in the eastern Coachella Valley, as well as recommendations for short and long term projects for the community to develop and work on.
Youth have started working with the City of Coachella on increasing opportunities for art and culture in the community. Youth presented at the September City Council meeting and have begun to work with City staff. Youth will begin working with other communities and organizations in the next coming weeks to improve recreational opportunities for youth.