The dramatic impact Ifetayo has had on the lives of its students is most evident for those who have been part of our family the longest. These students, over half of whom remained in the our programs for close to ten years, credit Ifetayo for the love and nurturing they needed to develop the high level of self-esteem and awareness needed to formulate the life plans they are now implementing.

Their stories vary as do their backgrounds and life goals. Many students go on to attend both local and out-of-state colleges with such majors in business, early childhood education, law, and the arts. All attribute the positive direction their lives have taken to the support and encouragement they received from Ifetayo. As a result, they remain an integral part of the Ifetayo family, teaching and mentoring on a weekly basis, or during summers and holidays.

Our holistic approach with these young people includes their families, support systems, and the larger issues in their lives. Families are invited and encouraged to attend the youth’s performances, and participate in workshops and classes of their own.

Lastly, the impact of our programs also reaches the community as a whole. Our programs focus on the development of the future for the community by helping young people to grow in to thoughtful, capable, inventive, and healthy adults, who will use their leadership skills to bring about effective change in the community.

Our programs have a high degree of success in helping young people avoid destructive behaviors and achieve long-term life goals. While each program has program-specific goals, we have observed and continue to expect the following broader outcomes for participating young people:


Short-term Indicators:

• Improvement in one or more classes at school;
• Improved conflict resolution skills;
• Improved leadership skills;
• Increased ability to communicate and collaborate with peers and adults;
• Creation of short term and long term goals and quantitative progress towards those goals;
• Increased literacy and financial comprehension;
• Increased self-esteem and willingness to share ideas in a group setting; and
• Increased ability and initiative to lead group activities and volunteer for outside activities.

• 93% college and university attendance rate among participants who have reached college age;
• 20% of Rites graduates return to Ifetayo to mentor younger students and volunteer;
• Increased employability and greater likelihood of job retention than nonparticipants;
• High rate of achieving long term life plans;
• Fewer instances of perpetrating or experiencing domestic abuse than nonparticipants;
• Fewer instances of unplanned pregnancy than among non-participants;