Research Findings

Evaluating Impact

We are committed to ensuring Up to Us, our film-based sexual health education program, is effective, culturally relevant, and resonates with justice system-impacted youth. To achieve this, we partnered closely with community organizations, youth participants, and educators throughout a rigorous pilot process.

Read our full Pilot Intervention Qualitative Report to explore detailed findings and participant stories.

Read report

Research Process

During our initial pilot, we tested three different delivery methods for our film-based workshops:

  • Option A: A multi-part, 3-day workshop series
  • Option B: A 5-hour, single-day immersive workshop
  • Option C: A concise, 2-hour overview workshop

Each delivery method featured interactive activities such as theater improvisation and facilitated discussions tailored to build comfort, engagement, and community among participants.

We prioritized feedback from youth and facilitators alike, adapting our approach based on their insights. To ensure comprehensive evaluation, our research design included diverse participant groups and settings, including community reentry programs, juvenile halls, and LGBTQIA+ resource centers.

Participants completed pre- and post-surveys to measure knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Qualitative interviews and focus groups further enriched our understanding, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and future possibilities.

Pilot Feedback

“It was helpful. I was surprised a lot of my peers didn’t know the things [the facilitators] were teaching us. I’ve taken a lot of sex-ed classes, but this one was very visual and hands-on.”
— Julian
Participant
“I feel like [the facilitators] did a great job of talking to us and actually letting us be a part of something.”
— Jamie
Participant
“The facilitators were warm and made everybody comfortable. The activities helped break down self-consciousness around tough topics.”
— Celine
Participant

Key Statistics

68%

Changed how they think about sexual health

90%

Would recommend to others

79%

Want to see more episodes

What We’ve Learned

Our preliminary qualitative findings show:

  • Participants deeply appreciated the relatable storytelling and representation in the films.
  • Interactive components, especially making art and facilitated discussions, significantly increased engagement and comfort discussing sensitive topics.
  • Participants valued seeing diverse identities and relationship styles represented, and they recommended expanding these portrayals even further.

Looking Ahead

As we finalize our quantitative research analysis, we aim to continue refining and scaling the program based on comprehensive participant feedback and measurable outcomes. Future research will further inform our approach to effectively empower young people with essential sexual health education.

Interested in learning more or partnering with our research efforts?

Contact us