An evaluation of selected, affiliated Girls Clubs of America programs in Southern Appalachia

The present study was designed to establ ish criteria for professionals, board members, and others to use to assess effectiveness of Girls Club of America programs in Southern Appalachia.

Girls Clubs of America, Inc. is a nonformal educational organization that participates in the education and the socialization of youth, specifically focusing on the needs of young girls and adolescents that can be met in voluntary programs.

Data were collected from 45 participants in three girls clubs in Southern Appalachia during the summer 1984. The participants responded to a written survey and were either board members, girls club management, girls club members, or alumni from the three clubs. To extend the data, non-girls club professionals in each community were interviewed about the needs of girls and the role of girls clubs in the community.

In order to examine results of the present study, data were graphed in two ways: (1) by question clusters and by respondent sets; and (2) by question and by respondent sets in a series of matrices. Taped interviews of the non-girls club professionals were transcribed and then categorized using the survey program domains.

A first glance, surface analysis showed that all program domains were important components of the girls clubs' program. Upon further investigation program priorities in the areas of career and personal development were observed, while sexuality education was perceived as the least important program domain in girls clubs' programs.