Voluntary funding organizations face increasing public demands for accountability in the use of funds. This article presents a model for evaluating the effectiveness of agency programs and discusses its applicability to the process of allocating funds. (Author)

An evaluation of the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Literacy Corps was conducted to provide a description of the Literacy Corps, numbers of persons served, strategies used, volunteer activities, and project results; to determine the degree to which the program is meeting its goals; and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the…

The Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program was evaluated from the standpoint of its impact on three groups: VISTA volunteers, communities served by VISTA sponsors, and sponsoring organizations to which VISTA volunteers are assigned. Survey questionnaires were sent to 1,250 of the 3,400 VISTA volunteers currently in service, 494 current…

This report reviews the progress of demonstration projects that reduce refugee welfare dependency, promote earlier refugee employment and self-sufficiency, and foster coordination among public and private agencies that work with refugees. The projects used the following three methods: (1) removing welfare provisions that took away some cash…

"Skills for Adolescence," a program for middle and junior high schools, includes (1) increased parent involvement; (2) inservice training for classroom teachers; (3) service learning opportunities for students; (4) community partnerships with schools; and (5) teaching students skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and goal…

Prison Fellowship Ministries' church and community based Transition of Prisoners (TOP) program in Detroit is examined. TOP mobilizes, trains, and equips primarily African-American churches and volunteers to assist ex-offenders to successfully reintegrate into their community. Preliminary outcome data suggest that participation in TOP reduces need…

A survey of volunteer programs in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy instruction in Illinois is reported. The report begins with a review of literature concerning ESL literacy volunteerism, most of which is descriptive and program-specific. The statewide survey results are then summarized, giving an overview of ESL volunteer programming.…

Project Redirection was designed to help pregnant and parenting adolescents progress toward eventual self-sufficiency by linking them with community agencies and volunteers at four geographically and ethnically diverse sites in the United States. Distinctive features of the program include: (1) a broad scope of services including employability…

Project Redirection was designed to help pregnant and parenting adolescents progress toward eventual self-sufficiency by linking them with community agencies and volunteers at four geographically and ethnically diverse sites in the United States (in Boston; New York City; Phoenix, Arizona; and Riverside, California). Distinctive features of the…

This report examines the service delivery and institutionalization of experiences of seven programs in various cities using the Project Redirection model, which helps pregnant and parenting adolescents progress toward eventual self-sufficiency by linking them with community agencies and volunteers. This evaluation focuses on innovations in service…

Project Redirection was designed to help pregnant and parenting adolescents progress toward eventual self-sufficiency by linking them with community agencies and volunteers at four geographically and ethnically diverse sites in the United States. Distinctive features of the program include: (1) a broad scope of services including employability…

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of goal accomplishment at Young Volunteers in Action (YVA) projects at three sites: ALexander City, Alabama; Gainesville, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana. First, a brief introduction describes the YVA program and discusses the evaluation approach. The next three sections present case studies…

An idea conceived by federal volunteer agency director Thomas Rauken in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program (VVLP) was officially launched in November, 1981. The program was scheduled to be federally funded for three years, and thereafter to be privately funded and operated. The VVLP formed a network of veteran volunteers who…

Questionnaires were sent to all active Peace Corps volunteers between July and September 1976. Completed questionnaires were returned by 62% of the volunteers who were in the field at the time of the survey. Analyses were conducted to provide basic descriptive information about volunteers, information on differences between groups or types of…

Just as voluntary agencies cannot function adequately without help from the government, the public system has failed to function adequately without the assistance of voluntary agencies. Public and voluntary resources should be organized into a coordinated accountable system that would assist families with the wide range of services necessary for…