Within the Heller School for Social Policy and Management's mission of "knowledge advancing social justice," the Center for Youth and Communities' objective is to "make knowledge productive". The work is guided by three goals: 1) using science-based research to improve the quality and impact of programs and policies for youth and communities; 2) strengthening leadership and management in philanthropy, nonprofits and socially responsible businesses; 3) applying results-oriented leadership and evaluation methods to deepen public understanding, strengthen programs, prove the efficacy of particular models and shape policies.