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Download a pdf of our 2023 evaluation results

AfA Surveys

In January 2012, AfA was awarded a Service to Science grant through SAMHSA to fund an enhanced evaluations program. Evaluation results are integrated into ongoing curriculum design enhancement and program implementation, improved staff training, and communication of program results to community partners and funders. AfA’s programs evaluator, Lewis Lease, MSW, keeps AfA on the forefront of data-driven programming.

The surveys measure the impact of the Phoenix Rising workshops using nine self-assessment domains, as follows:

  • Program Quality & Satisfaction
  • Academic Success
  • Arts & Culture
  • Community Involvement
  • Cultural Responsiveness
  • Life Skills
  • Positive Life Choices
  • Core Values
  • Sense of Self

AfA shares post-survey data with both the National Research Center’s (NRC) Youth Outcomes Coalition and the Alliance for Creative Youth Development, comprised of out-of-school, arts-based, youth development-focused agencies in metropolitan Denver to be used in statewide and national assessments and comparisons.

2023 Youth Participation

In 2023, Art from Ashes served 571 youth. Of the 451 who completed intake forms, 166 identified their race or ethnicity, as follows:

25.9% identified as White
31.1% identified as Latinx or Hispanic
17.6% identified as Black or African American
7.3% identified as Bi-Racial or Multi-Racial
5.7% identified as Native American, Eskimo, or Aleut
10.4% identified as Asian or Pacific Islander
2.1% Other

Youth can also self-disclose if they belong to the LGBTQ+ community on the intake form. Of the 33 youth who responded, 60.6% self-identified as LGBTQ+.

2023 Youth Impact

Post surveys allow youth to rate themselves on qualitative statements such as “I can express myself through poetry” and “I feel that I can make a difference.” In 2023, after participating in Phoenix Rising workshops, the responses indicated:

  • 97.3% of youth participants affirm they try hard in school
  • 92% of youth participants affirm they can see themselves graduating from high school
  • 92% of youth participants affirm they are important to their community
  • 89.2% of youth participants affirm that poetry and art are important
  • 92% of youth participants affirm that someone who looks or sounds different than them may not be that different after all
  • 92% of youth participants affirm they are good at learning new things they didn’t think they could do before
  • 100% of youth affirm that the activities are fun or enjoyable and that they feel safe at Art from Ashes workshops
  • 100% of youth affirm that AfA facilitators can be trusted and listen to what they have to say

Surveys include space for personal testimonials about the program, including what changes, if any, they saw in their life because of the program. Youth responses included:

  • “As a result of participating in Art from Ashes, I feel that I can better express myself in creative ways.” – Holland (13), Denver Online High School
  • “I’ve learned to express my feelings differently. Using different words. Ways to make me feel good.” – Milynda (15), APS Avenues
  • “I feel more confident than ever.” – Kyson (20), Cherry Creek Transitions
  • “I see myself opening up more.” – Krystal (16), APS Avenues
  • “I can be myself without worrying.” – Jackson (21), Cherry Creek Transitions

When asked what they like best about coming to Art from Ashes workshops, youth responses included:

  • “The chance to be me in my own words.” – Elliot (20) Cherry Creek Transitions
  • “I like the people there I feel safe there.” – Axel (16) Denver Online High School
  • “What I like best about Art from Ashes is that you write poems about how you feel.” – Bianca (20) Cherry Creek Transitions
  • “I like to be heard and to listen to what people got to say.” – Miracle (15) Denver Online High School

AfA’s 2023 survey results show that youth who participate in AfA workshops experience a deepened belief in themselves, their potential, and their connection to community, leading to improved social and emotional outcomes. The creative empowerment workshops at AfA have consistently engaged youth in the arts, helping them tap into their own creative genius. One youth who participated in 2023 said their favorite thing about the program was “that I feel welcome,” while another youth stated that “being able to express myself and hear others express themselves” was the best part of Art from Ashes workshops.   

2023 Community Impact

The value of the program is regularly recognized by community members, as evidenced by this recent testimonial from a guest artist:

“I love the approach Art from Ashes takes when entering the classroom, creating a safe space for youth to feel they have a voice and won’t be judged. I commend you all for setting the grounds and space for that kind of healing work. It’s an honor to be a part of the process. – Jon Shockness, a.k.a Kid Astronaut, Futuristic R&B Artist

Many youth, including survivors of trauma and abuse, continue to attest to the long-term impact AfA has had on their lives. Former youth participants attend community performances, continue to visit the office, and drop in on workshops. Youth participants frequently go on to become public speakers in support of the program, train as facilitators, and/or become guest artists.

Youth regularly recognize the power of the Art from Ashes program in empowering young people, as evidenced by these recent testimonials from three youth participants and performers:

“Being with Art from Ashes has helped me a lot. It helps me express my emotions, clear my mind, and get a lot of the stuff I want to say off my chest.” – Tylan, age 23

“Poetry is a way for me to express myself without having to explain my feelings. It also helped me understand myself better as a person, helped me realize it’s a good thing to be in touch with your emotions. Ever since I started Art from Ashes workshops, I feel like I’ve been able to express myself better. Every Wednesday I always look forward to writing poems [in the workshop] because I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Thank you for helping me understand poetry in a way I never thought I could.” – Millie, age 16

“Art from Ashes made me realize I had a beautiful voice worth speaking to the world and encouraged me to use my voice to speak out for what’s right.” – Gabe, age 16

In 2023 we partnered with 16 youth serving agencies to facilitate 195 workshops with 571 youth participants. AfA made 1,057 youth contacts between the ages of 12 and 24 in 2023. Over 6,000 poems were written at Art from Ashes workshops in 2023 and 35 youth performers performed their Art from Ashes poetry at 55 youth performances.

In addition to the youth workshops, AfA held 14 adult workshops where 100% of the proceeds went to fund youth workshops.

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Your donation will keep this good work going! Help us reach more youth in 2023 by donating here on our website, through ColoradoGives.org, or through PayPal Giving Fund.