2. Make Sure Young
Adults Are Heard

This module introduces ways to intentionally listen to young adults (Opportunity Youth, or OY) and create systems where their input informs program decisions. Feedback loops make program improvement a shared responsibility. They create regular, safe ways for young adults to say what’s working, what isn’t, and for organizations to respond visibly. Done well, feedback loops build trust, sharpen programs, and demonstrate accountability.

Who is this play for?

image of 2 team members. should have a comic book effect and afrofuturism graphics effect

Organizational Leaders

Direct-support Staff

image of 2 staff members who are black and white in race. should have a comic book effect

Marketing and Communication Staff

image of what a youth organization staff member who is a person of color and has a comic b

image of an office worker. should have a

Young Adult Employers

Why this
matters:

Real-time insight

prevents small issues from becoming big ones.

Closing the loop

builds credibility. “You said/We did” shows respect.

Young adult voice

keeps programs relevant. Participants know what resonates.

Participation increases

when young adults feel heard and see real changes.

Put it into action

Here are simple ways to start building strong feedback systems in your program:

Design lightweight, recurring feedback rituals.

Instead of one end-of-program survey, use short, frequent check-ins: a 3-question pulse after sessions, a monthly “roses/buds/thorns,” or a 5-minute debrief circle. Keep it predictable (same day/time), fast (under 5 minutes), and accessible (QR code, paper, or text). Protect anonymity when it matters; invite names when follow-up is needed.

SurveyMonkey’s nonprofit templates make it easy to launch and iterate quickly: https://www.surveymonkey.com/categories/templates/nonprofit-surveys/ .The point isn’t perfect instruments; it’s consistent listening and rapid response.

Co-interpret through youth-led data walks.

Don’t just collect data, read it together. Host short “data walks” where participants rotate through posters of key findings (attendance, satisfaction, outcomes), add sticky-note interpretations, and propose actions. This shifts feedback from complaint to co-design and surfaces solutions staff might miss.

Urban Institute’s guide to community data walks offers a clear, step-by-step approach adaptable to youth settings: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/data-walks-innovative-way-share-data-communities. For broader participatory evaluation resources, see Community Science: https://communityscience.com.

Close the loop publicly with “You Said / We Did.”

Every month (or cohort), publish 3–5 changes you made based on feedback—on a bulletin board, by text, and in opening slides. Be specific: “You asked for earlier office hours; we added 8–9am on Tuesdays.” Transparency earns grace when some requests can’t be met; name constraints and offer alternatives.

Keep a simple change log internally so staff can track decisions, timelines, and owners. This avoids one-off fixes and helps you see patterns over time (e.g., repeated asks for transit support or clearer deadlines).

Turn feedback into continuous improvement cycles.

Adopt a short, repeatable Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) rhythm: pick one change, test it for 2–4 weeks, review the data and stories, then scale or adjust. Improvement science keeps changes small enough to manage and fast enough to matter.

For accessible how-tos, see the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s PDSA explainer (widely used beyond health): https://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/HowtoImprove/default.aspx, or the Carnegie Foundation’s improvement resources: https://www.carnegiefoundation.org/topics/improvement-science/.

Share power through compensated youth advisory roles.

Create a small, paid Youth Advisory Group that meets monthly to preview communications, review policies, and prioritize changes. Compensate participation (stipend or gift cards), provide facilitation training, and publish the group’s recommendations and outcomes. This formalizes voice and models partnership.

When relevant, connect advisory work to local YPAR networks so young adults can learn research and facilitation skills they can carry forward. For examples and connections, see the Memphis YPAR Collaborative: https://www.memphisyparcollaborative.org/.

What's next

Next Module

Evaluating Program Success

2. Make Sure Young Adults Are Heard

Who is this play for?

Why this matters:

Put it into action

What's next

THE OPPORTUNITY PLAYBOOK

2. Make Sure Young
Adults Are Heard

Why this
matters: