Portland OR Quantum Opportunities Program
Site Director: Hannah Olomua
Emmanuel Community Services
Portland, OR
503-284-7506
The Quantum Opportunities Program has concluded its four years of involvement with 20 Portland youth. While operational, it was the only program of its kind in the community. While there were programs in the schools served, Quantum represented the only alternative outside of school.
Quantum instilled in the Associates with the importance of staying in school and maintaining good grades. Staff encouraged students to complete all homework and take an active role not only in Quantum but also in their schools.
The 20 students selected for Quantum were originally from two high schools. By the end of the four year program, they were scattered among 11 different schools, including two associates who moved to Vancouver, WA and Seattle, WA. Despite the dispersion of the youths, 19 of 20 youths completed the program.
Because the associates were so scattered, one staff member was dedicated to outreach and to working with families, to encourage each parent to help his/her child throughout high school.
Quantum worked with the associates to help them develop social skills that will facilitate entry into adulthood. Regular outings to cultural and entertainment events were part of the program, but had to be earned by completion of homework and other tasks.
A major task of Quantum was to instill in the associates the need to contribute to their community. They did this through work at a local food pantry and soup kitchen, work at a local nursing home, and in other ways.
Evaluation
The cohort of 20 associates finished the four years of the program, with exceptional results. When compared to a control group of 20 youths selected at the beginning of the program, the Quantum associates are significantly better in:
- High school completion (90%, compared to less than 50% for controls)
- Graduation with a diploma (85%)
- Standardized test scores (TABE)
- Continuation of education or training (college, vo/tech, military)
They were also:
- Less likely to be teen parents
- Less likely to have involvement with the law
As an indication of the impact of the program on legal involvement and the high regard with which the program is held, the single associate who was arrested and convicted of an offense was sentenced to perform community service at Quantum, and has subsequently had his record expunged. Among the control group, at least three youths are currently serving jail time for various offenses.