Independent research evaluations of CANY programs were completed by Dr. Nancy Feldman, Ph.D., Hunter College School of Social Work in 2004. Dr. Feldman’s evaluations of CANY’s work with children and adults, funded by Kenworthy-Swift and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare / Johnson & Johnson Partnership to Promote Arts and Healing, confirmed the effectiveness of Creative Alternatives methodology.

Dr. Feldman determined:

CANY achieves a high rate of success facilitating healing and personal growth.

CANY is the only organization providing traumatized individuals with ongoing, year-round participatory theater groups.

CANY creates an environment where people in need can interact with each other and explore emotions that are too frightening to address more directly.

CANY is particularly strong at inviting participation and engaging reluctant and hard-to-reach individuals.

CANY is fully integrated with the social services, prevention strategies, and youth development components at its partner sites so the therapeutic benefits support the overall goals of these agencies.

Click here to view the Dr. Feldman’s evaluation: “Reaching Troubled Youth Through Participatory Theater: A Process-Impact Evaluation of (CANY).”

Click Here to view Dr. Feldman’s evaluation: “Engaging Psychiatric Patients Through Therapeutic Theater Workshops: A Process-Impact Evaluation of the CANY Program.