Comparative analysis of faith-based programs serving homeless and street-living youth in Los Angeles, Mumbai and Nairobi

This study sought to determine which faith elements exist in faith-based programs for homeless and street-living youth in Los Angeles, Mumbai and Nairobi and how these concepts are defined according to staff and youth clients. Descriptions of client outcomes across programs are also explored. Quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 staff and 11 clients from 11 faith-based programs for homeless youth in Los Angeles. In Mumbai and Nairobi, 6 staff and 12 youth were interviewed from 3 faith-based programs in each city. Findings reveal similarities across cities in services, faith components and client outcomes. Differences are noted in the influence of the socio-political context on service provision. Recommendations are offered to guide faith-based organizations in designing and improving services for homeless and street-living youth.

本研究旨在确定洛杉矶、孟买和内罗毕针对无家可归和流浪青少年的基于信仰的项目中存在哪些信仰要素，以及工作人员和青少年服务对象是如何定义这些概念的。还探讨了各个项目中服务对象的成果描述。对洛杉矶11个针对无家可归青少年的基于信仰的项目中的22名工作人员和11名服务对象进行了定量调查和定性访谈。在孟买和内罗毕，对每个城市的3个基于信仰的项目中的6名工作人员和12名青少年进行了访谈。研究结果揭示了不同城市在服务、信仰组成部分和服务对象成果方面的相似之处。同时也注意到社会政治背景对服务提供的影响存在差异。提出了一些建议，以指导基于信仰的组织为无家可归和流浪青少年设计和改进服务。