Process
The information contained herein comes from a seven-week project in
the summer of 2004. Five youth interns interviewed groups of Whatcom
County youth in open discussion forums based on participatory action
research models. Participants were encouraged to share in-depth
stories and incidents, leading to a greater understanding of complex
issues than simple demographic-style data would allow. The data from
each interview group was carefully analyzed and compiled.
Purpose
This is the compilation of data from all interview groups. This is
intended to give a general, but profound overview of Whatcom youth
perspectives. The intention is to reach out to the entire Whatcom
County community, but specifically those in a position to make
powerful, immediate changes, and inform them of what it is to be a
young person in this area. It is our hope that this information be
carefully considered and used to make changes and improvements to
area resources in ways that are directly applicable to the lives of
youth rather than simply what adults perceive those needs to be.
Contents
Preface
Questions Asked
Credits
Individual Group Summaries
Organization Description
Demographic Overview
Interview Summary
Major Findings
Recommendations
Major Findings
Recommendations
Demographic Overview
Demographic Form Example
Standard
Questions Asked
What has been your experience living here in Whatcom County?
Do you feel safe?
Where do you hang out?
How do you feel about the school system?
What do you think about the comps (law enforcement system)?
What do you think about the drug use in Whatcom County?
How do you feel about jobs in Whatcom County?
How do you feel about Whatcom County outside of Bellingham?
What do you like about this area?
What do you not like about this area?
In the next five years, what would you like to see happen in Whatcom
County?
Survey
Team
Supervisor: Rob Werner
Interns: Kody Bosch
Nichole Darius
Kayleigh Mang
Alyssa Moody
Heather Patrick
Survey Team Statement
As youth, we are all fully aware of the problems facing young people
in Whatcom County today. We hope that this project is the foundation
for positive changes that enrich our community for all of its
members. Even if changes are not immediate, we would be proud to
have inspired thought, reflection, and consciousness among the
residents of Whatcom County.
Participating Youth
Groups
Credit Makeup
Peer Collection
Intern Survey Group
Just Us Youth
Transitional Living
Boys and Girls Club
Lummi CEDAR Project
Sponsors
and Supporters
Arionda Feeney, Worksource Whatcom
Susan Gribbin, Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities
Joyce Hammond, Western Washington University
Mary Haycox, Western Washington University
John Korsmo, Northwest Institute for Nonprofit Excellence
Geof Morgan, Whatcom County Commission on Children and Youth
Charles Onion, Worksource Whatcom
Sanjay Rughani, Worksource Whatcom
David Webster, Northwest Youth Services
© Copyright 2004
Northwest Workforce Development Council
For Questions, Please contact:
Sanjay Rughani
WorkSource Whatcom
101 Prospect Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Telephone 360/676-3224 Email
SRughani@nwpic.bellingham.wa.us |
