Sunday Friends

Abstract

This research presents results from the 2009 and 2011 evaluations of a biweekly program offered by Sunday Friends, a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization in Santa Clara County, California. The central focus of Sunday Friends is to empower families to “break the cycle of poverty” by providing programming that strengthens families and promotes healthy development of children and youth. Targeting financially needy families, the program uses a unique token economy to reward participation in educational and prosocial activities. Participants earn tickets that may be used to purchase a variety of goods and supplies. Most of the participating families are immigrant, Latino, and bilingual. The primary goal of the evaluations was to determine whether Sunday Friends fosters developmental assets for children and youth. Data were gathered from family members (i.e., adults and minors) and volunteers in 2009 and 2011. Questionnaires were administered to families face-to-face in English or Spanish during program hours, while volunteers were surveyed via an Internet questionnaire in English. We conclude that the token economy at Sunday Friends encourages a positive work ethic and motivates participation in transformative activities. Within an atmosphere of respect, helpfulness, and friendliness, the program fosters healthy family relationships, positive attitudes and behaviors, educational engagement, social capital, and healthy eating. Program volunteers are liked, respected, and viewed as role models. Data from volunteers confirm the reports by family members that the program has positive influences on participants’ lives.