An Evaluation of YWCA Edmonton’s GirlSpace Program

• Author / Creator

  Salvisberg, Wendy L

• Adolescence is a time of profound change and development for girls. Canadian girls may face a number of complex issues as they transition through childhood into adolescence, including sharp declines in physical and mental health, high rates of violence at home and at school, and mounting educational and professional pressures. Despite the existence of adversities and developmental challenges during adolescence, girls are remarkably resilient and can be empowered with appropriate supports. By providing positive role models, fostering the development of critical thinking skills, and engaging in leadership-building activities, girls can be supported to reach their full potential (Girls Action Foundation et al., 2013). The organization in the current study, YWCA Edmonton offers such a program. GirlSpace is a comprehensive 20- week program focusing on connecting girls with mentors, building leadership, and fostering critical thinking skills regarding issues commonly faced by adolescent girls. This research used an explanatory sequential mixed-method analysis to evaluate the YWCA Edmonton’s GirlSpace program between September 2017 and March 2018. Twenty-four adolescent girls between the ages of 11 and 17 years participated in the study. The following research questions were the focus of the study: (a) Did completion of the GirlSpace program improve girls’ leadership skills, social connectedness, mental health, and resilience?; (b) Which strengths and assets were developed or improved by the girls in the program, and which of these did they perceive to be most impactful?; (c) Which components of the program did girls find most helpful and unhelpful, and why?, and; (d) How did the themes mentioned by the program participants help to explain any quantitative differences in leadership skills, social connectedness, mental health, and resilience? The overarching goal was to contribute to current and future program delivery through an outcome and program monitoring evaluation. The results of the evaluation were intended to foster resilience and strengths, while mitigating the influence of barriers and limiting
  the exacerbation of concerns experienced by adolescent girls. Statistical analyses revealed improvements from pre- to post-program on all four measures, with social connectedness displaying the greatest amount of change, followed by mental health, resilience, and leadership, respectively. Thematic analysis corroborated and further explained the quantitative results, highlighted several strengths and assets acquired or improved through program participation, and provided feedback on the helpful and unhelpful components of the GirlSpace program. Overall, this dissertation explores the efficacy of a community-based, after-school program for adolescent girls, with promising effects on participants and constructive recommendations for future GirlSpace programming.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • mixed-method evaluation
  • youth leadership
  • social connectedness
  • mental health
  • youth programming
  • girl-specific programming
  • resilience
  • adolescence

• Graduation date

  Fall 2019

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-1dkw-0337

• License

  Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission.