 Research and Evaluation Grantee Spotlight – Smith College
While the passage to young adulthood presents challenges for almost all young people, those that grow up in socio-economically challenging circumstances face particular obstacles. After high school, young people lose the few existing structures and supports in their day to day lives.
Through Project Coach, Smith College is engaging youth researchers to explore the lived experience of the transition with a focus on how out-of-school programs provide support as young people move through this integral transition. The research will help inform solutions that help young adults better navigate the move towards independence and young adulthood.
The preliminary findings show that out-of-school programs can help smooth the transition by providing developmental relationships, exposure to skill and identity-building opportunities, and ongoing support even after high school. The team has maintained a website for all of their research updates, digital stories with first-hand experiences, resource guides for students and educators, and more.
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