URBAN IMPROV PROGRAM IMPACT

Urban Improv has been proven effective.

The Hamilton Fish Institute on School and Community Violence selected Urban Improv for an evaluation as an effective violence prevention program. Starting in 2000, this independent, multi-year study was funded through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The article has now been published in the Journal of School Violence, 2006 (Volume 5, Number 2).

The evaluation’s purpose was to assess Urban Improv’s impact on a variety of domains related to youth violence at different developmental stages. It was conducted by the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, and was overseen by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Trauma Center Medical Director and Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine.

Results show clear benefits for Urban Improv students. The program has been proven effective in preventing increased or new-onset of aggressive behaviors with elementary school children, while also increasing pro-social behaviors.

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Fig. 1: Aggressive Behavior

4th grade children who participated maintained behavior in class, while those who did not participate demonstrated a steady increase in aggression over the same time period.

Fig. 2: Cooperative Behavior

Participants demonstrated an increase in pro-social behaviors such as cooperation, assertive interactions, and self-control, while comparison student exhibited deterioration in pro-social behaviors.

Fig. 3: Self Control

Participants demonstrated a decrease in inattentiveness and disengagement in the classroom, while comparison students demonstrated and increase in these behaviors.

OUR MISSION IN ACTION: KEY RESULTS

EMPOWERMENT

Urban Improv Workshops

of participants say they learned the importance of controlling their temper

Freelance Players

of parents said their child gained self-confidence

Urban Improv: Mentoring

of mentors said their mentee showed improved knowledge of the world

EMPATHY

Urban Improv Workshops

of participants say they learned about how their words and actions could make someone feel bad

Urban Improv: Youth Unscripted

of participants said they learned to better understand other people’s opinions

SELF-EXPRESSION

Freelance Players

of parents said their child gained skills in acting, singing and dance

Urban Improv: Youth Unscripted

of participants said they learned how to disagree with people in a respectful manner

Urban Improv: Mentoring

of mentors said their mentee showed improved self-awareness