Resources: Review - A lesson learned in America shows the value ofyouth work

A Place To Call Home By Barton J Hirsch Published by the American Psychological Association (UK distributors: Eurospan) Price: 16.50 ISBN 1591472024

Over the period of four years a team of researchers studied six after-school centres operating in poor urban American localities. Their intention was to evaluate a curriculum-based programme on gender equality developed by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for these centres. In order to undertake this evaluation, the young researchers immersed themselves in the daily life of the centres. They talked to the young people and staff, made copious notes and joined in the life of the clubs. As they did so their understanding of what was taking place around them deepened. The seemingly chaotic, noisy world of the club acquired meaning for them. And, crucially, they comprehended the importance of it to the young people and the community.