Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Community
Ally Action
RESPECT and PRYDE Evaluation • Contra Costa County
Ally Action engaged Korwin Consulting in evaluating its RESPECT and PRYDE programs to learn whether and how they are strengthening the capacity of schools to reduce the behavioral risks that threaten the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Results of this two-year study show that more than 600 teachers and staff are taking the knowledge gained in RESPECT training workshops and applying it in their schools through advocacy, anti-gay harassment intervention, and education of students. Equally impressive, the more than 2,000 young people participating in PRYDE classroom-based, sensitivity trainings indicate a greater willingness to support LGBTQ youth and, in some cases, change their own harassing behavior toward these youth, as a result of the training.
Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition
Four-Year Evaluation • Contra Costa County
The Contra Costa County Safe Schools Coalition (CCSSC) is committed to increasing safety and support in local school communities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and families. The Coalition, which includes public agencies as well as non-profit organizations, develops and delivers an integrated package of peer- and adult-led educational workshops for school communities, mobilizes youth activists and peer health educators, and provides LGBTQ-friendly counseling and support groups. Findings from Korwin Consulting’s four-year evaluation show that the Coalition is contributing to safer school environments for LGBTQ youth and is increasing LGBTQ and other young people’s understanding of key physical and mental health issues. The evaluation also showed that Coalition members are helping to ensure comprehensive, LGBTQ-inclusive policy development and implementation in local school districts. Download Making Schools Safe for LGBTQ and All Youth: Lessons from the Contra Costa Safe Schools Coalition.
Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues
Capacity-Building Assessment • National
Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues' mission is to increase the philanthropic community's knowledge and understanding of critical funding needs in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities, as well as to educate lesbian and gay organizations on how to access philanthropic resources. As a staff member of BTW Consultants, Lisa Korwin co-facilitated a planning process with members of this philanthropic affinity group, generating key information about the needs of its membership, as well as developing individual profiles for each community foundation to use in its future fund and organizational development efforts.
Horizons Foundation
Strategic Partnership Program Evaluation • Bay Area
The Horizons Foundation serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community by making grants, strengthening LGBT organizations and leadership, and increasing philanthropic giving. In Korwin Consulting’s evaluation of Horizons’ Strategic Partnership Program we explored the impact of this capacity-building program on participating executive directors, and proposed changes to Horizons in program design and implementation to deepen their future capacity-building impacts.
New Conservatory Theatre
The Other Side of the Closet Evaluation • Bay Area
This theater-in-education program was designed to increase young people’s sensitivity and tolerance toward those who may be different from them—addressing issues of homophobia, self-esteem, discrimination, peer pressure, youth violence, and identity. Through post-performance surveys, performance observation, post-performance correspondence, and summary performance attendance data, this evaluation focused on the immediate impact that the performance had on its young viewers. The central question was concerned with how the audience members interpret the play’s messages. Do they relate to any of the characters in the play? Have they experienced or observed similar situations as those depicted in the play? And finally, has seeing this play in any way influenced their tolerance levels toward LGBTQ community members?