| Session Title: Using Democratic Evaluation Principles to Foster Citizen Engagement and Strengthen Neighborhoods in a Place-based Poverty Program |
| Expert Lecture Session 553 to be held in D'Alesandro Room on Friday, November 9, 10:20 AM to 11:05 AM |
| Sponsored by the Non-profit and Foundations Evaluation TIG |
| Chair(s): |
| Melanie Moore Kubo, See Change Evaluation, melanie@seechangeevaluation.com |
| Presenter(s): |
| Arnold Love, Independent Consultant, ajlove1@attglobal.net |
| Abstract: This paper outlines how a community foundation applied a community development approach to evaluate a place-based poverty program in four neighborhoods. In this model, evaluation supported the democratic evaluation principles of inclusion, participation, dialogue, and action in several ways: by documenting the local issues and outcomes that were important to the residents, by creating opportunities to deliberate together and practice direct democracy, by mobilizing partnerships and networks to generate solutions, and by identifying the current assets and additional resources that would create positive outcomes for challenged neighborhoods and their residents. The paper describes three key methods of the evaluation approach: a) deepen residents' understanding of the assets and strengths of their neighborhoods through a participatory assets-mapping, b) evaluate the outcomes and achievements of neighborhood residents using photovoice techniques, and c) public validation and democratic deliberation of evaluation findings. |