Program Evaluation of Women's Achievement Network and Development Alliance (WANDA): Asset Creation and Financial Stability for Single Mothers

The Women's Achievement Network and Development Alliance (WANDA), based in Palo Alto and San Carlos, created by an influential group of women philanthropists, has been dedicated to assisting and empowering low-income single mothers in San Mateo County toward enduring financial stability and asset advancement since 2007. WANDA is focused on changing the lives of San Mateo County single women living in poverty and is the only asset-building organization in this county that I know of that exclusively serves this population. The purpose of this study was to perform an outcome evaluation of WANDA's current program, and based on the findings, recommend new outcome metrics and a companion data collection survey strategy. Deci and Ryan's (1985) Self-Determination Theory was used as a guide to evaluate the literature and formulate the research question. The Logic Model offered structure of the data analysis, which involves analyzing organizational documents, survey data, and results from email interviews. Meetings with WANDA leaders and attending key WANDA events added critical perspective to the data. Finally WANDA's organizational attributes were compared to those of other similar organizations, such as EARN and Opportunity Fund , and other organizations that support women and families, such as Denver's Project WISE, the Bay Area's Women's Initiative , and Women's Foundation of California. The results suggest that WANDA single mothers are steadily increasing their income and credit scores over time both as students and as alumnae. Most WANDA mothers have health insurance for themselves and their children, which is a key protective factor against financial losses associated with health incidents and accidents. Though the earliest cohorts came to WANDA with asset goals of purchasing a home and saving for retirement, the more recent cohorts appear to be placing greater emphasis on more education for themselves and their children, as well as saving for their children. Construct validity issues notwithstanding (e.g., WANDA's current survey lacking a psychometric evaluation), participants in the survey rated WANDA's programs exceptionally highly. Results from the email interviews supported this impression and also yielded timely suggestions for improving and expanding WANDA's services to current students and alumnae. As a result of this program evaluation, specific recommendations are offered, addressing tips on survey design, method for establishing more mapping strategic objectives, performance metrics, and survey questions, and finally considerations for a longitudinal participant tracking program.