2019 Evaluation for Residents United Network focuses on values and capacity

This is the second year I’ve worked with RUN, a statewide grassroots organizing effort in California dedicated to empowerment and housing justice. This year’s RUN evaluation achieved significant progress on important organizational goals including the following:

• Trained and educated participants and stakeholders using evaluation results

• Reviewed and clarified the RUN theory of change

• Moved toward establishing an evaluation protocol for the RUN leadership ladder, with a focus on senior leaders

Because RUN is a grassroots organizing effort, our evaluation approach was not focused on outside “expertise,” but rather one to maximize capacity-building and participatory approaches to the greatest extent possible. 
The evaluation produced some key takeaways on the value of diversity, organizing and direct action as well as details on the impact on participants and ideas for improvement.

• Value of diversity: RUN involves a diverse group of participants. 68% are female, 24% are African-American, 22% are Latinx, 13% are Asian or Asian American.

• Value of organizing: RUN participants strongly believe in the importance of organizing to achieve social change. 93% or respondents agreed that it is important that they actively participate in organizing for affordable housing. 78% agree that the most effective way for them to make change in our housing system is to organize with their neighbors.

• Value of direct action: Responses show that direct action and beliefs of policy efficacy go hand in hand: Those who participated in RUN actions showed significant correlation (56%) with beliefs about their ability to influence policy decisions. 

• Impact on participants: Our survey showed that participants felt that RUN made a difference in their lives by improving their knowledge of housing issues and organizing, empowering participants to have a voice and take action, building community among participants, and supporting important policy and organizing work.

  • Participant voice: “Participating in RUN activities has given me the opportunity and confidence needed when speaking with state legislators in Sacramento and Washington DC regarding the homeless situation in California.”

  • Participant voice; “Working with RUN leaders has deeply enriched my work and informs my organizing.”