Our Newsletter: SparkUpdate

Beware what you wish for. A couple of decades ago, I remember eagerly anticipating an evaluation study of Boys and Girls Clubs that claimed to set them apart -- it actually found little data to demonstrate their effectiveness. Now we're learning what works almost weekly; but we have a new challenge: evidence-based studies can be misleading. At least that's the rebuttal to a provocative new study on the Harlem Children's Zone.

Another recent study, cited in a New York Times article this week, raises questions about just how we judge success. If a job training program doesn't boost employment in the worst job market in decades, does that mean failure?

There's more to these stories -- see the What Works section.

Also this week: with only a few working days left before the August Congressional recess and the onset of the election season, advocates are ramping up their action alerts urging improvements for kids. Grab your phones and help them out -- background info and alerts are in our DC section.

Advocates are fighting for more money to help the recovery and to fund proven solutions to improve outcomes for children and youth -- in the meantime, local programs can find some helpful hints on how to stretch what you've got in our Finding Funding section.

We've posted lots of new reports, data and analysis on SparkAction.org. Take action and let us know what matters most to you!