Evaluating the NeON Works Workforce Development Program
Problem
NYC wished to understand whether a community-based workforce program was effectively serving justice-involved youth.
There are large concentrations of youth on probation throughout New York City (NYC). To address this challenge, the New York City Department of Probation and the Young Men’s Initiative have implemented the Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) Works program—a citywide network of community-based centers in seven neighborhoods that offer youth and young adults individualized pathways to workforce skills and experience.
The Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity sought to fully understand the program’s effectiveness and impact to inform decisions about improving and expanding probation-oriented programming across the city.
Solution
NORC combined site visits, participant research, and data analysis to evaluate NeON Works from multiple angles.
NORC conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to examine what was and wasn’t working across NeON Works program sites, including the effectiveness of its individualized approach to workforce development.
Our research team visited NeON Works sites to interview program staff and conducted focus groups with participants to understand their experiences firsthand. We also administered participant surveys and analyzed administrative data to assess program reach, implementation fidelity, participant engagement and satisfaction, the strength of program partnerships, and measurable outcomes for participants.
This multi-pronged approach allowed NORC to build a comprehensive picture of the program, identifying both its strengths and specific areas where changes could increase participation and impact.
Result
The evaluation revealed a trusted, high-satisfaction program and identified concrete steps to strengthen its reach and impact.
The evaluation found that NeON Works had built strong community trust, relying heavily on word-of-mouth recruitment. Participants valued the personalized intake process, training opportunities tailored to their interests, and especially the supportive staff with lived experience. These relationships fostered belonging and continued participation, and participants reported meaningful gains in skills, confidence, and clarity about their career goals.
The evaluation also identified actionable opportunities for growth: expanding formal outreach and digital visibility, and increasing staff capacity to serve more participants. These findings equipped city leaders with the evidence needed to make targeted investments in strengthening and expanding probation-oriented workforce programming.
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Project Leads
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Joy Zacharia
Senior Research Director IIProject Director
