Approaches to Evaluation Resources and Getting Started Range of Evaluation Activities Tool: Developing Indicators and Collecting Information Learning from Experience: Hamilton and Winnipeg Going Deeper

Assessing Your Impact

Learning from Experience: Hamilton and Winnipeg

Hamilton Community Foundation: Growing Roots...Strengthening Neighbourhoods

Background

The Growing Roots.Strengthening Neighbourhoods program is a neighbourhood based program that was launched in 2002, with an initial five-year commitment. The program aimed to use an asset-based community development approach, combined with small grants, to build capacity and improve quality of life in four of Hamilton's most challenged neighbourhoods. By helping residents to identify and capitalize on opportunities for community improvement, Growing Roots.Strengthening Neighbourhoods builds the individual and collective leadership of residents and strengthens relationships within the community. Grants are small, in the range of $750. The annual budget for small grants is $15,000.

Evaluation Approach

At the approximate mid-point of the 5-year program, working with evaluation expert Dr. Arnold Love, the Foundation identified five key evaluation questions:

• What has changed in the lives of the individuals and groups that have participated in the Neighbourhood Program so far? What do the residents and groups mean by change?
• What assets is the program helping to build in the residents and the neighbourhood?
• What aspects of the program are working well and what needs to be changed?
• What is transferable to other neighbourhoods?
• What are the major challenges still facing people in the target communities?

Three evaluation components were carried out at the mid-point of the program:

• Photovoice, a technique combining photography and storytelling in which photos of community projects and project meetings are taken and structured interviews are conducted, resulting in a 20-minute audio-visual presentation. This presentation, and companion display panel and handout, were then available for use by residents, neighbourhood groups, and foundation volunteers and staff to demonstrate the power of the program, attract support, and bring attention to the neighbourhoods and their issues. This technique was chosen because it keeps residents' perspectives at the centre of the evaluation and contributes to their sense of ownership of the program and of the evaluation learning process.
• Analysis of descriptive and statistical data compiled from the records of the program since its inception and from the reports submitted by the community project groups. Final reports from the projects were analyzed along with other program data compiled by foundation staff. Financial data on program expenditures was supplied by the Foundation.
• Key informant interviews to determine the views of the community and community leaders about the program were conducted

The results of the mid-point evaluation were positive and guided adjustments to the program.