The My Empowerment (M.E.) Project was a three-year initiative led by Sacramento County’s Department of Child Support Services in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento and MEF Associates. Funded by a demonstration grant from the federal Office of Child Support Services, the project aimed to help teens and young adults make informed choices about delaying parenthood until they finished school, started a career, and entered a committed relationship. The program was delivered in after-school programs and a juvenile detention facility, using lessons shaped by youth input, focused on college and career readiness, financial literacy, and responsible parenting.
MEF Associates conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to understand how the program was implemented and what it achieved. We drew on program data, focus groups, interviews, fidelity checklists, and surveys. We found improvements in youth knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in areas like financial planning and career readiness, though small sample sizes limited the ability to draw causal conclusions. The findings showed that youth were more engaged when lessons were hands-on, connected to their real-life experiences, and led by adults they trusted. While some curriculum content was considered too advanced, staff adapted lessons to meet youth needs. Activities like role-playing, mock interviews, and group discussions helped bring the content to life. Facilitators who shared personal stories and created a safe, respectful space made it easier for youth to open up and participate. While the evaluation had some limitations, the results suggest that programs like this can help young people make thoughtful choices about their futures.