CAIRO Research Group
Advancing research. Strengthening communities. Reducing inequality.
CAIRO Research Group (CRG)
The CAIRO Research Group (CRG) is the research and evaluation division of the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO). We conduct rigorous, community-engaged research that generates practical evidence to improve educational opportunity, behavioral health, economic mobility, and community well-being. Our work bridges scientific rigor with lived experience, producing research that informs policies, programs, and systems that create more equitable opportunities for historically underserved populations.
CRG is distinguished by its Community Co-Investigator Model, an innovative approach to community-based participatory research that trains youth and community members to become active partners throughout the research process. Rather than viewing communities solely as participants, we prepare community members to serve as co-investigators who help identify priorities, design studies, collect data, interpret findings, and disseminate results. This approach strengthens scientific relevance, improves recruitment and retention, builds research capacity, and ensures that research reflects community priorities.
Our Research
CRG investigates questions that matter to communities and decision-makers. We seek to understand not only whether programs and policies are effective, but also how, for whom, and under what conditions they improve outcomes. Using community-based participatory research, mixed-methods research, implementation science, longitudinal research, program evaluation, and policy analysis, we generate evidence that helps organizations strengthen implementation, improve effectiveness, and scale evidence-informed practices.
CRG investigates questions that matter to communities and decision-makers. We seek to understand not only whether programs and policies are effective, but also how, for whom, and under what conditions they improve outcomes. Using community-based participatory research, mixed-methods research, implementation science, longitudinal research, program evaluation, and policy analysis, we generate evidence that helps organizations strengthen implementation, improve effectiveness, and scale evidence-informed practices.
Educational Opportunity and Youth Development
Research on school readiness, academic engagement, attendance, school belonging, graduation, postsecondary success, mentoring, youth leadership, and career development.
Behavioral Health and Prevention Science
Studies of prevention, social connectedness, resilience, family relationships, violence prevention, and community well-being
Economic Mobility and Workforce Development
Research on career exploration, workforce preparation, internships, employment pathways, transportation access, and financial capability.
Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health
Research addressing housing and food insecurity, childcare, healthcare access, neighborhood conditions, discrimination, and other social determinants shaping youth and family outcomes.
Implementation Science
Studies examining reach, fidelity, adaptation, acceptability, feasibility, sustainability, and the successful implementation of evidence-based programs.
Program Evaluation
Evaluation of nonprofit, education, public health, and government initiatives from program design and pilot testing through implementation, continuous improvement, and scale-up.
Community-Based Participatory Research
Collaborative research that positions community members as partners in generating evidence and translating findings into practice.
Our services
How we work with partners
CRG supports nonprofits, school districts, public agencies, health systems, and funders across the full research and evaluation cycle.
- Research design
- Implementation studies
- Statistical analysis
- Strategic planning
- Needs assessments
- Survey development
- Policy analysis
- Technical reports and policy briefs
- Program evaluation
- Qualitative and mixed-methods research
- Grant evaluation
- Peer-reviewed publications and community presentations
Our commitment
CRG does not simply evaluate programs. We investigate the mechanisms through which community-based systems, organizations, and public policies improve outcomes, generating rigorous, actionable evidence that helps communities, practitioners, and policymakers reduce inequality and expand opportunities for children, youth, families, and communities.