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FREDERICK, Md. , March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past year, City Youth Matrix (CYM) has taken a major step in strengthening its impact by developing a comprehensive logic model and evaluation plan. These tools will ensure that CYM effectively tracks data and demonstrates the meaningful difference it makes in the lives of the children and families it serves.
This initiative, generously funded by the Ausherman Family Foundation, was developed in collaboration with Sharp Insight, LLC, a firm specializing in program evaluation for mission-driven organizations. "The Ausherman Family Foundation is committed to building nonprofit capacity and equipping leaders with the tools they need to serve our community effectively. Supporting CYM in their outcome evaluation process aligns with our strategic priorities, ensuring they can grow and reach more children with a targeted, data-driven approach.
This investment will strengthen their impact for years to come," said Leigh Adams of the Ausherman Family Foundation. With the development of its logic model and evaluation plan, CYM has established a framework for measuring key indicators of success. This data-driven approach will allow CYM to refine its services, strengthen program effectiveness, and expand its reach in Frederick County .
"We were honored to partner with City Youth Matrix to develop two key documents that will lay the foundation for their strategic growth over the next five years. Through our work together, we created a City Youth Matrix logic model and evaluation plan that will enable the team to measure and report on key indicators of success. By using data to drive their success, it is our hope that City Youth Matrix will positively impact more youth, families, and youth-serving organizations in Frederick, Maryland , and share that impact with their families, partners, funders, and broader community," said Jana Sharp , Founder & Principal of Sharp Insight, LLC.
City Youth Matrix's new evaluation plan will help quantify the correlation between CYM services and critical outcomes, such as social-emotional well-being, academic progress, high school graduation rates, and post-secondary training. By integrating both qualitative testimonials and quantitative data, CYM aims to enhance its credibility and further demonstrate the importance of its mission. "Recently, City Youth Matrix (CYM) completed a very significant accomplishment by completing an evaluation plan with Sharp Insight.
The evaluation plan and the accompanying logic model have served to strengthen the focus of the mission and have paved the way for the development of internal benchmarks that will greatly assist CYM in demonstrating the positive impact for at-risk youth, their parents, and the greater local community. The goal is to not only highlight the testimonial stories of CYM but also draw increased credibility as a result of numerical quantitative data. Examples of these benchmarks will be the correlation of CYM services to the social-emotional well-being of CYM youth, academic progress, high school graduation rates, and the percentage of CYM youth moving on to post-secondary training," said Aaron Vetter , Executive Director/Founder of City Youth Matrix.
Several of the priority indicators identified by this evaluation plan are not typically measured or publicly reported by social service programs, making CYM's efforts unique in the sector. With six years of data collection already in place, these new systems of measurement will help underscore the significance of CYM's work and expand its impact. City Youth Matrix invites community members, partners, and stakeholders to learn more about this initiative and explore ways to support its mission.
For more information, visit www.cityyouthmatrix.com or contact Executive Director Aaron Vetter at [email protected] .
About City Youth Matrix: City Youth Matrix is a nonprofit organization based in Frederick, Maryland , dedicated to removing barriers that prevent low-income families from accessing enrichment opportunities. Through family support services, transportation assistance, and program funding, CYM helps children and their families thrive. SOURCE City Youth Matrix.
