Cyclopedia: sustaining a positive youth development program through community partnership
-
Cappy Collins
,
Marc Lavender
Abstract
Background: Urban, low income minority adolescents are disproportionately affected by numerous preventable morbidities, including poor school performance, obesity, and teen pregnancy. Owing to the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to the morbidities, no single intervention has shown consistent success in categorically improving outcomes. Recent research suggests a common root problem is lack of empowerment. Effective positive youth development (PYD) initiatives can prevent many morbidities by fostering empowerment in at-risk youths. However, little is published on how to implement and sustain such interventions.
Methods: Cyclopedia is an annual summer curriculum of mentored bicycle rides consisting of educational lessons, local exploration, and creative self-expression (photography and writing). It is structured on a PYD model and is supported by a core partnership between a medical institution and a community based organization (CBO).
Results: Cyclopedia has completed two full seasons with expansion from 18 boys to 50 boys and girls. The cost per trip has dropped from approximately $400 per rider to $100 per rider. The number of rides increased from 13 to 20, and total mileage increased from 740 to 870 miles per year. However, miles per rider dropped from 41 to 17, and writings per rider dropped from 2.6 to 0.5.
Conclusions: Cyclopedia, supported by a core partnership between a medical institution and a CBO, shows significant promise in cost-effectively reaching large numbers of at-risk children with PYD programming. Ongoing curriculum adjustments aim to address decrements in individual participation.
We acknowledge the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester, NY, Break the Cycle, John Culhane, Sandra-Lee Enuha, Full Moon Vista Bike and Sport (Michael Spear), Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, R Community Bikes (Dan Lill), Rochester General Hospital (Gina Lord), Rochester General Pediatric Associates, Rochester Institute of Technology, College of Imaging Arts and Sciences (Oscar Palacio), and the University of Rochester Medical Center, Pediatric Links with the Community.
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©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Editorial
- Break the cycle of environmental health disparities in vulnerable children
- Reviews
- Effectiveness of foreign food aid initiatives at addressing child malnutrition and the future of United States food aid policy
- Interventions to improve access to fresh food in vulnerable communities: a review of the literature
- Original Articles
- Disparities in arsenic exposure among children and adolescents in the United States
- The use of home-based caregiver assessment to improve children’s health: a pilot project
- There’s a hole in the bucket: rethinking the role of community collected data in environmental justice movements
- Multilevel analysis of small area violent crime and preterm birth in a racially diverse urban area
- Cyclopedia: sustaining a positive youth development program through community partnership
- Traffic-related air pollution and pediatric asthma in Durham County, North Carolina
- Breaking the cycle through better school siting: a collaborative project to facilitate the effective use of EPA’s guidelines with Georgia’s educational leaders
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Editorial
- Break the cycle of environmental health disparities in vulnerable children
- Reviews
- Effectiveness of foreign food aid initiatives at addressing child malnutrition and the future of United States food aid policy
- Interventions to improve access to fresh food in vulnerable communities: a review of the literature
- Original Articles
- Disparities in arsenic exposure among children and adolescents in the United States
- The use of home-based caregiver assessment to improve children’s health: a pilot project
- There’s a hole in the bucket: rethinking the role of community collected data in environmental justice movements
- Multilevel analysis of small area violent crime and preterm birth in a racially diverse urban area
- Cyclopedia: sustaining a positive youth development program through community partnership
- Traffic-related air pollution and pediatric asthma in Durham County, North Carolina
- Breaking the cycle through better school siting: a collaborative project to facilitate the effective use of EPA’s guidelines with Georgia’s educational leaders
