Prior to playing in a Think Detroit PAL sports program, 52 percent of surveyed youth believed that they “[knew] how to work with people who disagree with me.”  After only one season of playing with Think Detroit PAL, the number jumped to 76 percent! 

That is an amazing improvement in teamwork scores!  Interestingly, among the 16 other evaluated programs there was only a 7 percent average improvement.    Also, 19 percent of Think Detroit PAL participants learned that you have to work with others to solve most problems, but in the other programs, there was no change at all.

If you think the teamwork scores were compelling, Think Detroit PAL’s scores around valuing diversity were equally amazing!  Before and after participating in Think Detroit PAL’s youth sports program, kids were asked whether they:

• Wanted to have friends with backgrounds different from theirs
• Felt comfortable joining new groups where people were different from them
• Think people from different backgrounds can work together

In every case, youth who participated in Think Detroit PAL programs showed an increase in valuing diversity 13-18% more than youth who participated in the other programs! 

The evaluation was conducted and published by The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. The report provides parent and participant survey results from 17 youth-serving organizations from the Fall 2006 through Spring 2007.   

For more information on how Think Detroit PAL’s programs build character in young people, please contact Tim Richey at (313) 833-1600 X 219 or at timrichey@thinkdetroitpal.org.