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Conceptualizing Outcomes with Street-living Young Adults

Grounded Theory Approach to Evaluating the Social Enterprise Intervention

University of Southern California, USA, kmfergus{at}usc.edu

Nadia Islam

University of Southern California, USA, nislam{at}usc.edu

This qualitative evaluation of the Social Enterprise Intervention (SEI), a vocational training program for homeless young adults, used summative focus-group data to understand clients' perceptions of outcomes as a result of SEI participation. Data from formative focus-group discussions were also used to assess the intervention process and make necessary changes during the program. Over four months, two process- and one outcomes-oriented focus-group discussions were conducted with street-living young adults in the SEI Program. Open-ended questions were used to explore perceptions of project implementation and client outcomes. Emergent outcomes-related themes include family respect, self-esteem, goal-orientation, labor and social networks, delinquent behavior and societal perceptions of homeless youth. Grounded theory is used to interpret findings and develop working hypotheses to guide future studies of vocational interventions for street-living youth.

Key Words: constructivism • focus-group • grounded theory • homeless youth • outcomes • qualitative evaluation

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