Our 2022 outcomes show that Wyman’s programs and supports are impactful to youth well-being, skill-building, and educational success.
In 2022, more than 1,600 youth participated in Wyman’s direct service programs. Wyman Leaders continue to graduate from high school on-time and enroll and persist in postsecondary education at rates that exceed their peers in Missouri and nationally. And – both TOP teens and Wyman Leaders show improved social-emotional skills.
It has been 3 years since the onset of the pandemic. Young people across the nation are still dealing with the disruption to their lives, the impacts to their mental health and school engagement, and carry concerns about their futures and their post-secondary education choices. We will continue to see the impacts of the pandemic on all young people for many years.
Through all of this, our young people have persevered. We remain by their side, supporting them as they grow and learn. Each day they show us their courage, inspiration, skills, and determination to succeed.
Wyman teens are graduating from high school and enrolling and persisting in postsecondary education at high rates.
Our Wyman Leaders outcomes for postsecondary enrollment and rates of persistence in school have rebounded to the outstanding pre-pandemic levels. Wyman Leaders youth graduate from high school, enroll in postsecondary and persist at rates that exceed those of youth with similar backgrounds, and rival those of youth from higher socio-economic circumstances.
Wyman teens are developing the social emotional skills and competencies that are important for success in life.
Wyman’s social emotional outcomes have remained strong and steady throughout the pandemic. Social and emotional skills and competencies are vital and go ‘hand-in-hand’ with academic and life success. Research has proven the links between social emotional skill development and academic success.
Our work is more important than ever.
For 125 years, Wyman has believed in the power of teens. Our work has continually evolved as the world has changed. But one thing has remained the same: our commitment to teens.
As young people continue to face challenges and social inequities, it is imperative for organizations like Wyman, who serve and support youth, to remain steadfast and responsive to the needs of young people.
Now more than ever, we are committed to meeting the social and emotional needs of young people, which are critical as they continue to navigate through current realities. We invite you to join us in this commitment.
Sources:
Children’s Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Services Needs Assessment for St. Louis County. St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, March2017.
YouthTruth Student Survey, Learning From Student Voice: Emotional & Mental Health, 2019
Roehlkepartain, E. C., Pekel, K., Syvertsen, A. K., Sethi, J., Sullivan, T. K., & Scales, P. C. (2017). Relationships First: Creating Connections that Help Young People Thrive. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.
Durlak, J.A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D., & Schellinger, K. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development: 82 (1), 405-432.
Taylor, R.D., Oberle, E., Durlak, J.A., & Weissberg, R.P. (2017). Promoting positive youth development through school-based social and emotional learning interventions: A meta-analysis of follow-up effects. Child Development 88(4), 1156-1171.
State of the St. Louis Workforce: The Pathway to Job Growth, St. Louis Community College, 2022
Comparison rates from Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), 2021
Note:
Wyman postsecondary data include youth enrolling in 2-year, 4-year, technical/trade schools, or the military in the fall semester following high school graduation.