Add your Success Story Success Story #: 126Posted Date: 6/26/2007 City: not listed County: Somerset State: MD Program Name: Cyber-Town Afterschool Success Story: The Somerset county CYFAR project is located at the Computer Center at the Woodrow Wilson Community Center in Crisfield, MD. It is a computer lab accessible to the community providing Internet connectivity and educational opportunities. The purpose of the lab is to bridge the digital divide by providing computer and internet access to a traditionally underserved community in a safe and productive learning center. "Cyber-Town at the Wilson Center" is an educational core with the focus of this project on increasing reading skills in school age youth through technology. The target audience is youth and adults living in and around the Crisfield Housing Authority. Findings indicate that this program has succeeded in positively impacting the youth in Crisfield. 1. Between 40 and 100 children attended the lab every month and about 10-15 children attended the lab after school on a very regular basis, more than twice a week. 2. The computer lab is a safe and educational environment for after-school activities. This type of environment helps youth stay out of trouble in a community that struggles with a high crime rate, as the area rests above the national average in non-violent crimes. 3. The computer lab provides activities for reading comprehension, vocabulary practice, and spoken communication. Reading Comprehension Assessments have been completed on all the youth who attend the lab on a regular basis this past year. Every child has been placed in a reading intervention program. This will include progress reports established on reading software, DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time and reading aloud 4. School records have indicated the positive effect that these programs have had in terms of literacy skill enhancement and homework completion. Lab users reading scores are validated with reading tests taken at school. A strong collaboration with the school principal maintains communication and coordination between school and computer lab activities. 5. Youth gained an increased awareness of opportunities in higher education and careers in math, science, and technology. Return to Top   Success Story #: 125Posted Date: 6/26/2007 City: not listed County: Garrett State: MD Program Name: Afterschool Extension Enhancement Project Success Story: The After-school Extension Enhancement Project in Garrett County brings Extension staff into partnership with many other youth-serving organizations as part of a coordinated after-school effort. Active since September 2004, the program consists of after-school themed sessions taught in 1½-2 hour lessons. School age youth (K-8) attend 8-15 sessions throughout the school year. Most sessions are taught at the after-school site, however overnight camping trips are facilitated at the Western Maryland 4-H Center. The project meets an identified need by bringing the resources of Extension into the new system of after-school programs across the county. The resources made available include use of an outdoor education center, computer lab, life skills curricula, and the expertise of the 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator and Faculty Extension Program Assistant. After-school youth benefit from a variety of experiential education sessions including outdoor programming, agriculture education, and interactive programming. The After-School Extension Enhancement Project in Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, Loch Lynn, and Southern Middle School has provided enriching after-school activities as well as educational trips for many children in Garrett County. At each of the sites, staff members have observed that children are engaged in the after-school activities and are interacting well with each other. Additionally, children appear to greatly enjoy the field trips. In the Fall of 2006, efforts were begun to more formally measure primary and secondary outcomes at five of the after-school sites. Students and administrators from Accident and Kitzmiller both completed evaluative questionnaires after the Forestry unit was taught. A post-Entomology survey was administered to the students and staff of Friendsville's after-school program. At the Loch Lynn and Grantsville programs students and administrators were surveyed after the Wildlife unit was taught. A simple evaluation questionnaire was filled out by each student who participated in the individual units. These evaluations assessed what students learned from the themed after-school activities and their satisfaction with the program. The children indicated on their evaluations that they enjoyed participating in the activities and that they learned more about topics that were of particular interest to them. The children reported that the knowledge gained from these activities seemed to build upon and enhance what they had been learning about in school. As a result of their participation in the themed after-school activities, the students also reported increased interest in biology, science and technology, health, history, arts and theater, and social studies. Administrators for the theme-based activities, or modules, also completed questionnaires after each module to evaluate the perceived student receptivity of the module and ways in which the module may be improved. All administrators gave the activities an excellent rating and identified the children as being moderately to very engaged in each of the activities they participated in. Garrett IRB data for these completed questionnaires is on file at the University of Maryland. In response to the positive results from the early program, additional modules have been created and implemented. In addition, 6 after-school programs have added outdoor educational overnight camping trips to their curriculum. Although Southern and Accident are not classified as Title I schools, the Garrett County Extension After-School Project is committed to outreach that includes all 7 after-school programs in the county. Year 4 goals include completion of the Youth After-School Quilt Project through learning activities and quilt displays at the Garrett County Fair, commitment to Science Enhancement through Project Butterfly Wings and various engineering projects, and continuation of learning data. Return to Top   Success Story #: 124Posted Date: 6/26/2007 City: not listed County: Frederick State: MD Program Name: Sagner and Hillcrest Technology After-School Centers Success Story: Sagner and Hillcrest Technology After-School Centers provide access to computers and technology-based learning to children living in the Sagner and Hillcrest public housing units. The first site, the Police Action League Center Technology Club (PAL), is located at Sagner in a police-run recreation facility. This is an after-school computer lab staffed by an educator who is providing guidance in educational and homework computer-based efforts. Informal instruction on software applications and educational computer games along with activities outside of the lab such as gardening, sewing, and reading clubs are also provided. The second site, the HUD Technology Lab, was originally located in Hillcrest and has since been moved to the Hope VI development. Starting in mid March of 2007 and continuing through the end of the school year, instructor led web design weekly classes were launched in the new computer lab at Hope VI as part of the Leadership Academy program. As part of the Leadership Academy, classes are offered everyday on different topics of interest such as music, public speaking, and computer graphics. The Sagner PAL Center Computer Lab and the HUD technology lab at Hillcrest have become fully operational and available for use by children in the communities. The summer of 2006 program at Sagner PAL Center continued to attract larger numbers of youth than activities offered during the school year. Children have taken advantage of the computer labs by using computers for completing homework assignments, playing educational computer games, and participating in informal instructor led classes. In doing so, the participants used the available technology to do their schoolwork and enhance their own learning, which was the primary outcome of this program. In addition to building computer and technology skills, youth at the Sagner PAL Center have created a quilt, planted a garden, entered the county fair, and participate in a reading club. Return to Top   Success Story #: 123Posted Date: 6/8/2007 City: Covington County: TIPTON State: TN Program Name: BLAST BUILDING LEADERS AFTER SCHOOL TIME Success Story: 4-H Members were treated to a New Afterschool Program Launched November 27th 2006. The Program was funded by State LEAP Lottery Educational After-school Program funds. These funds are from unclaimed Tennessee Lottery money. We are funded $50,000 a year for 3 years as a test Prep Grant site. Student achievements so far have included a writing assessment score of 4.39 out of 6, a full point above their classmates in the 8th grade in most cases. The students placed second as a team in the National Middle School Lifesmarts contest. The 4-H after-school program has energized the youth, and their energy knowledge is great with the 8th graders scoring a 355 out of a possible 360 on their NEED quizes. Quote: "Wow I didnt know 4-H could be so fun" 8th Grader after 3 hours of Leadership games. "I am surprised what I get to do in 4-H Science projects" 8th Grader Return to Top   Success Story #: 111Posted Date: 8/17/2006 City: Auburn County: Placer State: CA Program Name: J.O.L.T. Job Opportunities & Leadership for Tomorrow Success Story: Mary Wu - After going through the teen 4-H JOLT training, a Woodcreek High school teen wrote an article which was published in the Sacramento Bee newspaper about job interviews. JOLT was made possible through a grant from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities. The teen, Mary Wu, talked about the Top 4 Keys to Success during an interview. The top key to success is to, smile and introduce yourself with a strong hand shake and confidence. In the next top key, Mary stresses the importance of being yourself during the interview. She says that it is easier to remember what you said if it's the truth rather then talking yourself up and then looking uncomfortable when you can't remember what you said. The article continues on with two more keys to success that are very important to remember when interviewing. Mary has been a top teen in the JOLT program and has taught at the JET program through the city of Roseville. The teens that are enrolled in JET, another program that teaches teens about job skills, are great and very open to learning. While sitting down to help some teens while talking about role models, Callia Owens a JOLT Student Intern was told that JOLT has helped the teens feel more confident in front of groups of people. They said that by using the icebreakers in the JOLT curriculum, they could could get up in front of people and actually feel comfortable. Outside of JOLT, Mary is a very involved teen who is part of the Key Club at school and she writes a teen section for Sidetracks, a local newspaper. She is involved in her schools Speech and Debate Team, captain of the Acadmeic Decathlon Team, founder and president of Chinese Language and Culture Club, co-leader of the education committe in National Honor Society and in site council. Mary has been a great teen to work with. Article that appeared in the Sacramento Bee: Top 4 List by Mary Wu, Woodcreek High School 1. Smile: Give your interviewer a firm handshake (though remember to wipe the cold sweat off off yur palm first, and get rid of other indicators of your anxiety). 2. Be yourself: Answer the questions honestly. This way, you won't struggle to remember the fantasy details you concoted when your interviewer asks about them some time later. 3. Dress appropriately: A business suit, slacks or a conservative dress (for girls) all work. Refrain from ripped jeans and neon-colored hair dye. 4. Thank your interviewer for his or her time: Exchange handshakes again if possible. Remember to keep that optimism going, so smile as your leave. Return to Top   Success Story #: 107Posted Date: 8/9/2006 City: KANSAS CITY County: JACKSON State: MO Program Name: University of Mo. Ext. Jackson County 4-H Program Success Story: The R.I.S.E. program, made possible by a grant from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities clearly made a difference in the lives of the middle school students that went through the Teen and Adult Team ran workshops. Many had never discussed values, conflict resolution, discrimination, or their skills. Resumes and businesses cards were not a consideration. We reached over 638 students in Kansas City, but there is yet another great story to be told regarding the teens that conducted the workshops. Leon Moon, University of Missouri Extension Specialist, is a strong advocate of teens training and working with other teens and youth. The connection that the teens made with the youth was really outstanding and it paved the way for learning to take place in a way that cannot be duplicated by adults. Many of the middle school youth were interacting and talking about themselves and their plans for the future and the teachers at the site told us that this was a FIRST! These students were always quiet and never had anything to talk about. Our Teens made BIG difference in their self esteem and made the youth feel good about themselves and their contributions to the many discussions. Neldra Flint and Stefanie Tomlin traveled to Texas and were trained once Kansas City received the NFL Charities and JC Penney Afterschool Fund Workforce Preparedness Grant. Both have recruited and trained a broad spectrum of teens from public and private schools, giving us a wide economic range and varied background of Teens to work with all year long in the greater Kansas City area. Some of the teens were already leaders, holding leadership positions in their schools as well as outside organizations. Others were just interested in the program and the new experience. One of the teens, who clearly was not a leader confided that she was very nervous when she first faced the students, she told us that after she began to do the R.I.S.E. activities with the students and interacted with them, that she began to feel more confident and she felt good about the knowledge that she was imparting to the students. She has already asked if her group can continue to do the program with the students at the school and perhaps more in after school programs this fall. She connected with the students as no adult could have alone, in a very short time and the students learned and had fun at the same time. Another teen, told us that she was nervous at first but thought the program was great. This teen was from an economically disadvantaged home with a female head of household, but it seemed that she found her niche in the R.I.S.E. program. She was working with the students and was genuinely trying to help and give and get feedback. She told us that she really connected with two of the students. Maybe she saw herself in them, but she related to us that in the short time that she was with them, that they said that they wanted to be like her and teach other students one day. This sudent told us that she had never considered that anyone would want her to be their role model. She was gratified and proud. She had given the middle school students some meaningful information from the R.I.S.E. curriculum, but the learning is extended by the connection that the students had with another teen and the self esteem raising that this teenager experienced through helping other students. It is said that word of mouth is the best marketing tool and the R.I.S.E. program was no exception. One of the 21st Century Learning Center Grant Site Coordinators contacted us about doing the program at her school. Her nephew had gone through the program at one of the 4-H after school programs and had come home raving about the R.I.S.E. program, showing his resume and talking about all the fun activities that he had been a part of during the program. We are thankful to have had the opportunity in Kansas City to have been a part of this great project. The lifelong learning and the differences that have been made are the Real Success Stories for us and the youth that we touch along the way. Quote: THE R.I.S.E. CURRICULUM WAS GREAT AND THE TEENS WERE OUTSTANDING! Return to Top   Success Story #: 106Posted Date: 7/29/2006 City: Murray, KY 42071 County: Calloway State: KY Program Name: Kentucky 4-H Works Success Story: The Kentucky 4-H Works Afterschool Workforce Preparation Program made possible by a grant from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities enabled Calloway County 4- H program to stretch the skills and teaching abilities of 18 terrific teens and 131 marvelous middleschool aged youth. As well as utilizes the organizational skills of 8 awesome adults. The eight week afterschool programs occurred in both county and city middle schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays during February and March. The teens prepared interactive and fun activities to engage and motiviate the middle school youth to think of careers for their future. Basic communication, teamwork and career exploration were emphasized. Site visits to local vet clinic, university barn, exposition center, car dealership, wellness center and hospital were taken by participants. The mentor relationships that occurred between the high school teens and the middle school tweens was priceless. Quote: What a great opportunity for the teens that taught and the middle school youth that took part. Our world is more stable because of the growth of both. Return to Top   Success Story #: 105Posted Date: 7/28/2006 City: Nashville County: Davidson State: TN Program Name: 4-H WORKS Success Story: The 4-H WORKS (Workforce Opportunities Relating Knowledge and Skills) Afterschool program in Davidson County (Nashville), TN made possible by a grant from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities, has been extremely successful. Seven hundred and fifty 4-H members learned about filling out a job application, completing a resume, communicating with co- workers, dressing for the job interview, etc. Youth were also able to participate in a 4-H Career Fashion Show sponsored by the JCPenney store in Franklin, TN. As a result of this project, youth were better prepared to face that first job interview and gain successful employment. As a result of being a 4-H volunteer for this project, one local college student was offered a job at the very site where she had taught the 4-H WORKS program. These youth (and leaders) truly benefited from being involved in 4- H Afterschool. Return to Top   Success Story #: 104Posted Date: 7/27/2006 City: Bloomington, IL  County: McLean  State: IL Program Name: Taste of 4-H Afterschool Success Story: 4-H Youth Development team of McLean County as a part of a new initiative to introduce 4-H into already exising after school program sites, partnered with local groups/organizations, schools, parks and recreation, and a housing authority to introduce 4-H to over 80 new youth in McLean County. There were six different sites that the new program was offered M-TH 3- 5pm. Each club created their own banner, organized their club officers, were provided with 4-H Afterschool curriculum, materials and resources. On Saturday April 23, 2006 all of these new clubs came to one setting for a 4-H Afterschool Mini Showcase where each club demonastrated their cheer, activities, and were recognized as new 4-H members in McLean County. They were welcomed by our Federation and Jr. Federation members. Quote: One of our new members, when she walked into the mini showcase, exclaimed, "is this all for us." and cried when she found out that it was. Return to Top   Success Story #: 103Posted Date: 7/25/2006 City: Hopkinsville County: Christian County State: KY Program Name: Christian County 4-H Youth Development Success Story: Christian County 4-H was one of five Kentucky Counties to be part of the National 4-H Council after- school workforce preparation grant made possible by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities. A teen was selected and attended the National workshop. Four sites were selected to conduct the RISE (Respect and Integrity through Skills and Education) curriculum as part of the workforce preparation grant. Sites included Boys and Girls Club of Hopkinsville, Pennyrile Housing Authority, Eagles Club (Ft. Campbell), and Christian County Middle School for a total of 178 middle school youth (46% minority) completed a minimum of 30 hours of education during the spring and summer of 2006. Fifteen teens were educated to teach the curriculum. Evaluation were conducted to determine the improvement in the teens self confidence and teaching ability. Teens were evaluated by visually by adult leaders. 100% showed improved confidence in their teaching ability. 100% showed increased ability to recognize the ages and stages of middle school youth and to work more effectively with those youth. 90% showed improved organizational skills and responsibility. Two youth were selected to attend the Kentucky 4- H Volunteer Forum based on their teaching and leadership improvement. A Christian County teen who is a member of the state team and an ex-office member of the local Chamber of Commerce presented a program to the Chamber on the RISE curriculum. Chamber of Commerce members volunteered to help the RISE students go through a mock interview. Evaluations as to the effectiveness of the program showed that 96% of the youth felt they had a better understanding of what was necessary to get a job that would be good for them. 93% stated they learned how their values help determine what type of job they feel they can do best. 96% stated that by completing a skills inventory, they better understood what type of job they would enjoy and have the ability to do. 87% stated that by using the job clusters and their skills inventory they were able to determine a job they felt they were well suited for. 85% stated that by completing an actual job application and interview with an adult they were better able to shake hands, learn interview etiquette, explain their qualifications for a job and be better prepared for a real interview. Return to Top   Success Story #: 102Posted Date: 7/21/2006 City: not listed County: Butler State: PA Program Name: 4-H Get in the Act Workforce Afterschool Program Success Story: As a result of the "Get in the Act" 4-H Workforce Prep program made possible by a grant from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities one of our teen teachers, Krystle, was very pleased to have the opportunity to work with younger children in a teaching situation. This enabled her to make a decision to set her goal of becoming an Art teacher. Also, Jessi, one of our teen teachers, listed the experience she gained with this project on summer employment applications and also her college applications, which helped her gain employment and entrance to college for the fall term. A middle school student participating in the "Get in the Act" project learned to interact better with his fellow students and learned the importance of setting goals. His mother indicated to us that she had seen positive changes in her son and they were interested in exploring other 4-H programs. Return to Top   Success Story #: 101Posted Date: 7/21/2006 City: not listed County: Westmoreland State: PA Program Name: Get in the Act 4-H Afterschool Success Story: The Westmoreland County 4-H Program in Pennsylvania offered the "Get in the Act" Workforce Preparation Program made possible by support from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities to middle-school youth at an after-school program in the city of Jeannette. At this program, there were 11 teen girls from a half-way house that participated during all of the sessions. These girls come from high-risk backgrounds, and have not had a lot of opportunities to explore positive aspects of themselves or feel successful. During the program, they had the chance to explore what they are good at, what their interests are, and what careers might suit them. As the program progressed throughout the weeks, the girls became very enthusiastic when they discovered how their interests and abilities related to actual jobs they could pursue. By participating in the "Get in the Act" program, these girls showed an increased level of self-esteem, and were also more willing to talk about themselves and what they would like to do when they are older. At the end of the program, the girls were given completion certificates and ribbons, and many said this was the first time they had received such an award. They were very happy to have accomplished what they did! Return to Top   Success Story #: 91Posted Date: 3/27/2006 City: Ada, OK 74820 County: Pontotoc State: OK Program Name: Latta Afterschool program-4-H Success Story: Latta 4-H just finished the Workforce Readiness Program called "Get In the Act". Our 60 4- Her's afterschool had a great time making a movie on the important job skills needed for employment. This is one of the best training programs ever. Thank you. Quote: These students were very excited about the CD that went with the program. They were excited about the activities - not bored. Return to Top   Success Story #: 89Posted Date: 2/1/2006 City: Hampton County: not listed State: VA Program Name: Hampton Community 4-H and CHROME Enrichment Program Success Story: The 4-H and CHROME(Cooperating Hampton Roads Organization for Minorities in Engineering)Community Enrichment Club Program combined its programs to reach children in grades K-8 in a volunteer city-wide after- school club program that exposes, nurtures and provides academic development through community expert support from surrounding universities,businesses, governmental agencies and professional organizations with SOL presentations and hands-on activities in the sciences,mathematics,social studies and other related subjects. Many service learning projects are done with its membership of 300 students.The program started in 2000 as a single club for the Hampton City with 60 members and their parents. In 2006,the program expanded and established 10 school site extension clubs with the community club as its base. The Community Club has joint meetings twice a month in a community center and a public library. To support the volunteer program, the Hampton's Parks and Recreation Department has placed the volunteer enrichment program in an Outreach status. The Community program has an option to meet in any of Hampton's recreation centers to implement more clubs for students and their parents in Hampton. The community funds the program by in-kind and educational grants from the commuity. The director and founder of the Community Enrichment Program, Gwyndolyn Lee- Lomax was selected as the 2004 Hampton Wal-mart Teacher of the Year and then was selected the 2004 Virginia's Wal-mart Teacher of the Year for her outstanding contribution to education and the impact she has had on students education. In 2005, Gwyndolyn Lomax was selcted as one of Hampton Roads Local Heros by the Bank of America for her contributions in education for youth and future educators of Virginia. She has worked as an adjunct instuctor at the surronding universities as a supervisor of students teachers and a mentor for Virginia's 1st year teachers. Quote: Parents love coming to the club meetings too. They are as excited to come as their children. Follow-up field trips to universities, businesses and museums are terrific. Parents say,"joining the Community 4- H and CHROME Enrichment Program gives parents and students information about the Virginia SOL's in a fun way. Meeting experts in different academic areas and doing hands-on activities makes learning excitng and fun. The program exposes students and parents to learning opportunities for their children". Return to Top   Success Story #: 84Posted Date: 12/7/2005 City: Auburn, CA 95603 County: Placer State: CA Program Name: J.O.L.T. Job Opportunities & Leadership for Tomorrow Success Story: Tanner Bridges - Success Story Tanner Bridges is relatively new to the 4-H club program, moving to Lincoln, California and joining a newly organized bi-lingual 4-H club in December, 2004. He quickly became involved and is President of the Lincoln 4-H Club this year. Tanner attended the National Workforce Preparation Conference in Texas from June 21-23, 2005 as a youth representative from California. He actively participated in the training and also assisted with the “Recruiting and Training Teens to Work with Younger Youth in After-School Programs” learning session presented by Sharon Junge, UCCE County Director and member of the National 4-H Afterschool Leadership Team. After attending the conference, Tanner felt that the responsibility he learned at the conference should be put to work. So, Tanner got a job at Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Lincoln, California. “I have responsibilities in my home, but I really wanted to get out and explore what life would be like without my parent’s help,” Tanner explained. He helped in the local Workforce Preparation training, J.O.L.T. (Job Opportunities & Leadership for Tomorrow) on September 24, and November 12, 2005. He had fun demonstrating an icebreaker with the help of the audience as well as other components of the training. Not only did Tanner share his experiences from the conference, but he also illustrated how the activities apply in real life. He explained to the high-school teens that you have to be very dedicated to your job because you never know if you are being looked at for a promotion. Tanner received a promotion to manager in the four months he has been working at his first job. After the J.O.L.T. training, Tanner commented that he learned a lot of valuable new techniques for dealing with his co-workers. “The sessions really broadened my thinking. I can now look at a problem and realize that there is more than just one solution to a problem, if I look at it from another’s point of view,” Tanner remarked. The conflict resolution section of the curriculum helped Tanner overcome many potential problems at work. Overall, he sees the J.O.L.T. program as essential to anyone who applies it to work, school or everyday life. Tanner promoted the Workforce Preparation Program to the community at the Lights On Afterschool event on October 20, 2005, at the Lincoln Child Care site and plans to begin teaching J.O.L.T. to middle-school students in December 2005. Return to Top   Success Story #: 76Posted Date: 10/31/2005 City: Nashville County: Davidson State: TN Program Name: 4-H WORKS Afterschool Program Success Story: Extension Agent Justin Crowe taught a 4-H Afterschool workshop at the Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum in Eatonton (Rock Eagle), GA. A 4-H Volunteer from Tennessee (who works or the county school system but lives in a county without a 4-H Afterschool program) became so excited about 4-H Afterschool programming that she invited Crowe to come to her county school in-service day and train teachers interested in beginning an afterschool program. Hoorah for 4-H Afterschool! Return to Top   Success Story #: 75Posted Date: 10/31/2005 City: Nashville County: Davidson State: TN Program Name: 4-H Life Rocks Success Story: Davidson County 4-H is finishing up the Life Rocks! program at two local afterschool sites. Belleve Community Center youth enjoyed Life Rocks (a health and wellness program) through a Saturday program while J.T. Moore Middle School aftercare participants enjoyed Life Rocks in an afterschool session. Youth received approximately 16 hours of education in drug abuse prevention, teambuilding, etc. The program ended with a celebration including a pizza party and give-a- ways. Return to Top   Success Story #: 73Posted Date: 10/25/2005 City: Greensburg County: Westmoreland State: PA Program Name: Westmoreland County 4-H After-School Programs Success Story: Kevin is a sixteen year old teenager who lives in an urban community in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He has been a foster child since he was young, and has had many obstacles to overcome during his life. A couple of years ago, Kevin became involved in a teen youth council that is offered through a “Communities That Care (CTC)” initiative. The Westmoreland County 4-H Program collaborates with CTC to provide positive youth programming to Kevin and other youth council members. As a result of this collaboration, Kevin was introduced to the NFL/JC Penney 4-H After- School Program that the county recently received funding to carry out. He became very excited to learn that he could be a teen mentor to the younger kids in his community, to not only provide them with the workforce curriculum and help give them something worthwhile to do after school, but also to be a positive influence in their lives. Kevin and five other youth council members will be teaching the work- force program throughout the year. They are all looking forward to the experience! Return to Top   Success Story #: 54Posted Date: 5/5/2005 City: Scottsville County: Allen State: KY Program Name: Allen County 4-H After School Projects Success Story: 4-H Projects have always been a learn by doing fun atmosphere that is conducive to learning for our youth. Allen County has implemented after school workshops for the past 25 years. Workshops are held in the schools, community centers, YMCA, and the Extension Office. Workshops are held in the areas of: Arts & Crafts, Foods, Nutrition, Fitness, Electricty, Woodcraft, Photography, Sewing, Quilting, Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Management, and others. Volunteers lead the workshops as the youth complete their projects. Some of the workshops may last up to 3 or more days - depending on the size and scope of the project. If there is a cost for materials, the youth are charged only for the cost. The school system provides transportion to the sites by school bus, and the parents are responsible for picking up the youth. Workshops usually last for about 2 hours. All workshops are hands-on - the kids are ready to move around and do something fun after sitting in school all day. This works well for our county. Quote: "The look on a child's face at the county fair with the blue ribbon makes you speechless." Return to Top   Success Story #: 53Posted Date: 4/20/2005 City: Burwell County: Garfield State: NE Program Name: 4-H @ the Library Success Story: School releases an hour early each Friday for teacher inservice so we started an afterschool using the Family Celebrations, Just Outside the Door and Snacking Healthy curiculums to give youth a healthy snack, literacy activities and fun & games. One mother put a Thank You in the local paper saying how her children enjoyed the program and how it helped her with safe, reliable care until she got off work. Return to Top   Success Story #: 52Posted Date: 4/7/2005 City: Columbus County: Platte State: NE Program Name: Success Story: In 1999 the Columbus Collaborative Team conducted a needs assessment in the Nebraska community and found that there weren’t enough daycare openings for the number of youth who needed it in the community. As a result, a committee of community members came together to work toward alleviating this problem. One strategy that emerged was a plan to develop an After School program. The University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Office in Platte County joined that partnership and as a result found, applied for and was awarded money from a USDA Children, Youth and Families at Risk grant. These dollars allowed us to hire an After School Coordinator and begin a program in the fall of 2003 in two of our community’s elementary schools. In the fall of 2004 an third site was opened. As we complete the end of year two our program has over doubled in the number of enrollments with over 100 enrollments. We will open 2 more sites in the Fall of 2005. The Communities Together Can program is a childcare licensed site that provides care on a daily basis between the hours of 3:00-6:00 p.m. It is during these hours that research shows higher rates of juvenile delinquency among youth. Our program promotes our after school care for a number of reasons including, 1. Convenience – The program is offered right at the school – reducing transportation issues. 2. Affordability – The cost is comparable to other childcare options and a sliding fee scale is available for families who qualify for free or reduced lunches during the regular school day. 3. Safety – Parents have less worry about their children during the after school hours when children are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviors. The convenience of having care available right at the school also reduces concerns about children walking after to school to another care site or home. 4. Reduced Home Work Hassles – After School tutoring can ease the stress of families during the evening hours and allow for more quality family time. Everyday at the program there is time for completion of homework but parental responsibility is still needed to make sure all work is completed each night. We are not a substitute for parental responsibility. 5. Enhanced School Performance – Studies show that children who participate in After School programs perform better in school. It is our goal through academic time, learning, fun, exploration and activity that children in the program will be enriched and develop in a number of skill areas. As we continue to build towards a five year goal of sustainability we have focused on building more community partnerships, promoting and growing our program and looking for additional grant opportunities. The future of After School looks bright in Columbus, Nebraska. Return to Top   Success Story #: 47Posted Date: 1/31/2005 City: Kahului County: Maui State: HI Program Name: Waihe'e 4-H Afterschool Success Story: The Waihe'e School Administration has been extremely supportive with the 4- H Afterschool Program at their school. In prior years, they had no structured program for their children in their after school programs. The children would eat their snack, have some physical activity, and finish their homework. The school is now able to include learning experiences for their children due to the support from the 4-H staff working with the 4- H Afterschool program at their school. All Hawaii public elementary schools are focusing their school work on english and math to meet the "standards". The 4-H Afterschool program uses the 4-H Juried Curricula such as Science, Technology, Foods and Nutrition, and Leadership which complements the classroom learning experiences. In addition, all of these incorporate the experiential learning model, which encourages youth to think and to gain important life skills. The 4-H Afterschool Program has excited the youth about learning….they cannot wait for Wednesdays or Fridays when they are able to attend the 4-H educational sessions. A+ After School staff have reported that the children complete their homework assignments quickly so that they will be able to participate in all the projects planned for that day. They have begun to practice asking questions following the Experiential Learning Model, and forming hypotheses on what they think would happen on science experiments. Strengthening the after school staff's capacity to deliver an effective after school program through their participation in the staff development training has resulted in better quality programs. Return to Top   Success Story #: 46Posted Date: 1/28/2005 City: Forest Hill County: Harford State: MD Program Name: Washington Park 4-H Club Success Story: As a result of the JC Penney Afterschool Grant in Harford County, all twenty youth who are a part of the afterschool club participated in the County Fair in various project areas. The entire group planned, made and entered a decorated trash barrel in the Club Challenge contest. Five members of the group participated in the Foods project for the first time. Eight members of the group entered vegetables from their community garden project. Ten youth took a group trip to one of the local department stores and purchased items to wear during the County 4-H Fashion Revue event. All of the youth participated at pre-judging session and during the final competition at the County Fair. One of the youth received recognition for being “The Best Model” in her age group and another young lady received a Reserve Champion award in her “Ready-to-Wear” division. Sixteen of the youth and 8 adults attended the pre-event at the JC Penney Store promoting the 4-H Afterschool Program. At least 75 people stopped at the display during the two hour period we were there. Even though the event was not in our county the group recruited one new member. They were the only 4-H group participating. Twelve of the members, one of which is a Harford County Ambassador, and five adults attended the Aberdeen City Council session in October. They answered questions about the afterschool program, the JC Penney Lights-On event, and explained the 4- H activities they participated in during the year. They personally met each of the nine city Council members and were presented with the first Aberdeen City Council Proclamation ever presented to a 4-H or afterschool group. None of the Council members was aware that 4-H existed within the town limits. They praised the efforts of the adult volunteers working with the group of at-risk youth who reside in an area known for its drug related activity. Neither the Boys and Girls Club nor the 21st Century Community Learning Afterschool Program actually held a Lights-On Afterschool Event. Even though the weather was very questionable the Washington Park Apartments' Light-On Afterschool event went on without a problem. The group had worked hard to plan an event that would attract other youth living in the apartment complex. In addition to the 20 youth and their parents over 65 youth and 35 adults attended. There were two very positive impacts resulting from this event. First and foremost was the successful recruitment of 12 new members that enrolled in 4-H for 2005. Secondly, one of the City Council members attended the event. Upon seeing what was left from the group's community garden and knowing that the new management of the complex was going to be utilizing the present site of the garden for renovations, he committed an adjacent lot belonging to the city for the project in 2005. In addition he offered the use of City equipment and personnel to help clear and prepare the ground for the garden. The group planned a trip to the Baltimore Inner Harbor to visit the Great Blacks in Wax Museum. All thirty-two members and their parents traveled by bus. This was the highlight of the year since some of the members had never been to Baltimore. The museum offered an outstanding educational activity which allowed the youth to appreciate and understand first-hand their American heritage and role in history. Return to Top   Success Story #: 45Posted Date: 1/27/2005 City: Columbus County: Franklin State: OH Program Name: 4-H Afterschool - Gateway to Opportunity Success Story: A series of lessons using the "Jump Into Food and Fitness" curriculum were presented at the Valley Forge Latchkey program (part of the Columbus, Ohio city schools). The latchkey teacher was very inpressed with the 4-H lessons and signed up for a training in another curriculum. She wants to incorporate the lessons in her latchkey program. She also asked if 4-H would come to the district latchkey teachers' meeting to introduce other staff to the curricula that are available. Quote: Pamela Jordan (latchkey teacher): (paraphrased) - This was such a wonderful program. Return to Top   Success Story #: 44Posted Date: 1/27/2005 City: Columbus County: Franklin State: OH Program Name: 4-H Afterschool - Gateway to Opportunity Success Story: A summer intern at OSU Extension, Franklin County, was trained in the "Jump Into Food and Fitness" curriculum. She presented the lessons at several Park and Recreation sites and a Boys and Girls Club summer site. As a result of her lessons, the director of the Park and Recreation Department arranged for us to train 14 recreation site leaders in the curriculum. Return to Top   Success Story #: 42Posted Date: 1/26/2005 City: Lawrence County: not listed State: KS Program Name: K-State 4-H Afterschool Mentorship Initiative Success Story: At New York elementary school 45 youth in 4-6 grade had the opportunity to participate in a volunteer led 4-H after school experience using the Junior Master Gardener program. Through an Extension PATH grant and a 4-H Afterschool Salute to Excellence grant supported by the JCPenney Aterschool Fund the Extension adult master gardener program led this initiative. The adults and youth met once a month as a continuation of the previous semester 4-H Foods and Nutrition program. Each week the youth increased their knowledge of plant science and nutrition through hands- on activites. Quote: "Whoa, I have never dug in the ground before!" Return to Top   Success Story #: 41Posted Date: 1/14/2005 City: Bethel County: Oxford State: ME Program Name: 4-H Lego Robotics Club Success Story: The Lego Club was new to the 4-H Afterschool site this year at the Cresent Park Elementary School. The theme was handicap accessibility. The club worked on building an electronic Lego Robot that could help a handicap individual do basic tasks in the home like push in chairs, feed the pets, pick up glasses, close a door, etc. The team also created the idea for a hovercraft wheelchair. At the statewide tournament the team placed 16th against Middle schools and Elementary schools, but if you remove the 11-12 middle school teams that had a clear advantage, the team placed 5th for the elementary level. They had consistent scores throughout which was unusual. The team had the opportunity to work with a handicap individual and view all of the electronic devises in the van and on the wheel chair. Then the students spent a day in a wheel chair to gain a better understanding of the limitations that the team would consider for the challenge. This program is set up as a creative challenge similar to Odyssey of the Mind. The team's learning curve was huge as they needed to program everything on the computer and teach the robot all of the technical moves. Return to Top   Success Story #: 40Posted Date: 1/13/2005 City: Bristol County: Kenosha State: WI Program Name: Urban Outreach Angels Success Story: Kenosha's Unified School District has identified, through a Search Institute Developmental Assets survey, that only 23% of youth in our county enjoy reading for pleasure and that only 21% participate in fine arts activities outside of school hours. Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction posts data that shows very little reading and science proficiency in the two most economically challenged neighborhoods in Kenosha. After receiving 4-H afterschool training, Extension's AmeriCorps VISTA initiated use of the 4-H Afterschool curriculum, particularly the Aerospace, Plant Science and Art units, in the Urban Outreach Center's afterschool program. Additionally, Jackie is incorporating opportunities for the children to develop their reading skills, by having written instructions for all projects and establishing journaling time each week for expression and reflection. She and other volunteers are also integrating a story-time into the program to spark creativity and interest in reading for fun. In addition to the Urban Outreach program, and with the help of the 4-H Afterschool Resource Guides provided at the training, the Extension Youth and 4-H staff are working to establish new 4-H afterschool sites in other disadvantaged neighborhoods in 2005. Return to Top   Success Story #: 39Posted Date: 1/13/2005 City: Augusta County: Kennebec State: ME Program Name: Gilbert 4-H Afterschool Success Story: After attending a 4-H Afterschool training, after-school staff members in Augusta were a bit hesitant to use any of the curriculum ideas thinking that it seemed like a lot of work to do a project and they weren't sure how the children would react. On December 14th, the staff at the Gilbert Site made cocoa mixes with the children. The youth were actively involved as they used measuring cups and spoons to measure out the ingredients. They made the mix into hot chocolate by pouring hot water back into the mixture. The children put marshmallows on top of the hot chocolate. Children also took home dry mixture for 3 servings in a baggie. Staff members were so excited to see how much the children enjoyed the activity. “The best part was all the children participated and were able to take something home with them,” explained Karen Cox, Supt. of Childcare for the city of Augusta. “This simple activity was a jumping off point for our after school staff. After seeing the energy and enthusiasm that the “hands- on learning” generated, staff were eager to try other projects.” As a result, three new 4-H clubs have been implemented. Cox summed up her excitement for the partnership with 4- H Afterschool by saying, “Bringing 4-H programs to after- school childcare programs is wonderful for the children. Too many of today's children are missing out on the types of activities included in the 4-H curriculum. Childcare staffs are generally NOT offered training in these areas so to have training provided and then money given for supplies that are needed is great!!!” Return to Top   Success Story #: 38Posted Date: 1/12/2005 City: Cherryfield County: Washington State: ME Program Name: The EdGE Success Story: The Ed Greaves Educational Afterschool Program (EdGE) offers after-school programming at five schools in Washington County for youth in grades 5-8. With the support of the JC Penney Funds, the EdGE has integrated 4-H into their realm of offerings after school. Newly initiated 4-H clubs are using CCS curriculum that was provided with grant funds to involved kids with Small Engines, Bicycles, Hands-On Science, Arts and Crafts and Cooking. Grant funding made it possible to purchase non-consumable tool kits, bike stands, bicycle repair kits, and microscopes to support these projects. At the Lights On! Event, parents were asked to comment on the new collaboration between The EdGE and 4-H Afterschool. The following responses were collected from the Lights ON! lightbulbs: The EdGE Program encourages excellent study skills and the hand-on projects “positively” push the kids to look deeper in themselves… and bring out their imagination. Zachary has learned a lot since coming to EdGE. 4-H provides educational, entertaining and FUN activities!!! All the confidence and enjoyment my son gets. Combining 4-H with the EdGE is a great combination. Gives kids a safe place to be after school. Encourages them to be leaders not followers, gives them an alternative to doing drugs. Rachel enjoys trying all the new activities. Edge offers a variety of activities (4-H included) that families may not otherwise be able to do. We appreciate no TV “screens” for 2 ½ hours, kids are off the streets, and there are no sibling wars. No child care necessary and they learn good study habits. As a result of initial 4-H Afterschool training with staff, program directors have scheduled two follow-up workshops with Extension staff to provide after school staff with further training in youth development, curriculum implementation and program management. Return to Top   Success Story #: 37Posted Date: 1/12/2005 City: Perry County: Washington State: ME Program Name: 4-H Afterschool Salute to Educators Success Story: Thanks to a 4-H Afterschool Salute to Educators grant funded by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a vibrant new partnership has been formed between 4-H and the Sipayik Boys and Girls Club at the Passamaquoddy Reservation in Perry, ME. Collaborators at the reservation are implementing a 4-H project that will play a role in the development of a community project proposed "Passamaquoddy Living Heritage Village" (PLHV). This village will be similar to a "Kings Landing" or "Plymouth Plantation". 4- H members will work with elders and other community members to plow and clear land and prepare it for planting near the proposed village site. The planting will start with vegetables and fruits that can be sold at a local farmers market or used for cooking in the home. Special empahsis will be on the original fruits of the earth, and plants, shrubs and trees which were used for natural dyes, crafts, flutes, beads, and baskets. Seed money from the JC Penney Afterschool Funds was used to supplement the purchase of gardening tools and leverage funding from the Tribal Council. Return to Top   Success Story #: 36Posted Date: 1/12/2005 City: Machias County: Washington State: ME Program Name: 4-H Afterschool Training Success Story: Steven Koch, a freshman at Machias Memorial High School attended two 4- H Afterschool training sessions for volunteers sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Upon completion of these, Steven, volunteered in the School Union 102 Afterschool Program during the 2003-2004 year. His job assignment was with the Pre-K, K and 1st grade room. He helped serve snack, read stories to the children, played games with them, and helped with arts and crafts activities. “Steven was a wonderful worker,” said Sharon Warren, former director of the afterschool program. “He was also involved with soccer and basketball, but he always kept me informed of his schedule. He was always on time and had a great attitude about his commitment to work.” When the school year ended, he worked as a junior counselor at the Machias Summer Day Camp during the summer of 2004. He was very conscientious about the children under his charge. He worked with 5 year olds, and had a particular fondness for one certain boy. He would talk to the director about his concerns for the child and shared that the child reminded him of himself when he was that age. Steven worked one-on-one with that child for the remainder of camp. Steven could not return to the Afterschool program this fall due to his school commitments, church involvement, and extra-curricular activities. He is however working as a mentor to a first grader with the Big Brother/Big Sister program. Quote: Sharon Warren, Former Director of the Afterschool program, "I believe the 4- H Afterschool trainings and involvement as a volunteer in the afterschool program played an important role in providing an opportunity for this young man to experience and develop a love for working with younger children. Steven is a true success story." Return to Top   Success Story #: 35Posted Date: 1/7/2005 City: Chambersburg County: Franklin State: PA Program Name: 4-H Summer, Science and Kids Success Story: Thanks to a JCPenney 4-H Afterschool grant, the Capital Region 4-H Team conducted summer programs to reach a new audience- school aged youth participating in summer community agency or child care center programs. Early this spring, 98 agency and center staff attended a Train the Trainer session to introduce them to 4-H project materials. The project areas were aerospace, entomology, and science sampler. When asked what was the most beneficial, responses were: "I learned about a resource I was unaware of," "4-H can bring simple science to a child care setting," "Each child learns in a different way," and "simple fun science that includes hands on and discussion." To help site staff effectively incorporate 4-H projects into these settings, educational resource kits were developed. The kits were loaned out to the sites. This summer more than 1,200 youth across the Capital Region benefitted from these partnerships. Return to Top   Success Story #: 34Posted Date: 12/30/2004 City: Doylestown County: Bucks State: PA Program Name: Venice Ashby 4-H Friday Afterschool Club Success Story: For the first time children are learning gardening skills when working at the Venice Ashby community garden. 4-H plant project books provide resources and indoor activities for 4-H members. Many members are experiencing new fruits and vegetables from the garden as well as learning about composting. The community garden provides a wonderful location for youth to practice taking photos while learning photography using 4-H “Adventures with You Camera” project books. The children are developing communication, planning and critical thinking skills as they work together towards a common goal. Meeting weekly to learn about plants, photography and work in the garden together helps build the 4-H members self esteem. The 4-H members toured a local Christmas Tree Farm to learn about the green industry and commercial growing. 100% of the children experienced a Christmas Tree Farm for the first time and spent an hour talking with the owner and learning about a career possibility. Quote: "I never knew carrots grew in the ground." "What is compost?" "How can we make compost for our gardens?" Return to Top   Success Story #: 31Posted Date: 12/8/2004 City: Dayton County: not listed State: OH Program Name: 4-H Adventure Central Youth Board Success Story: 4-H Youth Board Seeds Community Projects When it comes to making really big decisions, 4-H member Cerenity Miller knows how to be a leader and run the show. Shes a member of the 4-H Adventure Central Youth Board in Dayton, Ohio, a group of young people charged with doling out grant money to worthy community youth organizations. At age 11, Cerenity may be the youngest of 15 board members but she takes the job seriously. I want to make sure that someone will use the money responsibly, she says of the $500 grants that go to such local projects as a high school beautification club that wants to plant flowers and trees or a dance groups idea for a youth workshop. Adventure Center, the 4-H youth education and development center in Dayton, is one of hundreds of diverse 4-H Afterschool facilities across America. The seed money for Cerenitys board comes from grants to the Dayton Center from foundations and corporations that want to promote youth/adult partnerships. The Youth Board, made up of kids ages 11-17, was created to find ideal places to distribute the money. It one way 4-H touches communities. Advised by the Centers director, the board is learning lessons in philanthropy and leadership. The young board members first designed an application and set deadlines for proposals. Projects, they said, should involve the interaction between youth and adults from non- profit organizations like schools, churches and community centers. Cerenity and her fellow 4-H members meet weekly to discuss grant proposals from a variety of groups who want to make a difference in their urban community. Then, the board members decide who gets the funding. Youth philanthropy programs like Adventure Centers Youth Board as being developed throughout the 4-H system across the country, providing young people with unique training and experience in community service that will last a lifetime. I already know how to lead a meeting, Cerenity says, adding proudly that she hopes to become an officer of the Youth Board next year. Chances are, its just the beginning of her leadership and community service involvement, wherever life takes her. Cerenity is one of seven- million kids in 4-H, a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Return to Top   Success Story #: 30Posted Date: 12/8/2004 City: Reno County: Washoe State: NV Program Name: Reno, NV 4-H Afterschool Success Story: 4-H Afterschool Improves Brothers Grades, Behavior Two Reno, NV, brothers get better grades and have improved their behavior since theyve joined the 4-H Afterschool Club (4-H ASC) at the Reno Housing Authoritys Essex Manor Community Center. Now, Danny and Milo Guerrero do homework first, then participate in activities just like they learned at their 4-H Afterschool Club. Danny, 14, attended the program for four years. He used to struggle with school assignments and homework and was rebellious. Now, he is a 4-H junior leader who knows how to share with other youth and dreams of a college football scholarship so he can become an engineer. Tutoring from 4-H ASC teachers has helped Milo, 10, dramatically improve his reading and math skills, and he has acted in several plays. The program really did help me with my school work, but most of all, it taught me mannershow to eat properly, wash my hands and clean up. Now I do this at home, Danny said. The boys mother, Maria Teresa Cortez, is very proud of the improvements her sons have made in their schoolwork and behavior. She appreciates 4-H ASC because it keeps her children safe while she is at work and provides them with the homework help she cannot give because she does not read or speak English. The children at Essex Manor truly benefit from the programs support in achieving better academic performance, behavior and school attendance. Kids sometimes have inappropriate behaviors, and 4-H ASC encourages them to work hard on their school assignments and gives them a safe and fun place to be during after- school time, said Essex Manors Manager Tsige Haile. Return to Top   Success Story #: 22Posted Date: 4/26/2004 City: not listed County: not listed State: AZ Program Name: Kids World Success Story: Sierra Vista Parks and Leisure's KIDS WORLD program began receiving training from Cooperative Extension's 4-H Youth Development program personnel in 2001. Character Counts, Sports Ethics, Pallets of Fun, and Junior Master Gardener Curriculum have all been taught during the past three years of partnership. In the fall of 2003, KIDS WORLD care providers took advantage of the community based training on 4-H Portable Challenge. Furthermore, KIDS WORLD coordinators attended the November 2003 Director's Institute sponsored by T3 (Train the Trainer), Cooperative Extension's workshop focused upon meeting the needs of administrators within the child care field. In 2003/2004 Youth in the Sierra Vista KIDS WORLD program participate in the 4-H Club Read program where K- 5 youth read each day. Youth play 4- H Challenge games to build teamwork, cooperation and learn about the six pillars of character in the Character Counts program. Future plans are to include 4-H Clubs including Junior Master Gardener activities at each of the five locations so youth who normally do not have access to 4-H club membership will have the opportunity brought to them! Return to Top   Success Story #: 21Posted Date: 4/26/2004 City: not listed County: Ft. Huachuca State: AZ Program Name: Ft. Huachuca, Arizona LOA Success Story: There is full implementation of Character Counts at the Child Development Center, School Age Services, and Youth Services. Ft. Huachuca has 4-H project groups in arts and crafts, needle-crafts, environmental awareness, rabbits, photography, technology, woodworking, community service, a community club, and the middle school 4-H club which designed and organized a Lock-In for youth from Ft. Huachuca, Yuma Proving Ground, and Cochise County. Fourteen paid staff have been trained as 4-H leaders and youth are enrolled as full fledged members of Cochise County 4-H. For the first time ever, the 2003 Cochise County Fair had entries from the Ft. Huachuca 4-H Club and a field trip to the fair was held for their youth. Ten youth and adults from Ft. Huachuca attended the Arizona Intra-State Ski Exchange in February of 2004. Testimonies from those youth include: "I met a whole lot of new people." "We got to socialize with all the boys and girls- --they were really cool." February 28th, 2004, Ft. Huachuca's Photography Leader and members attended the Cochise County Judging Clinic in Tombstone, AZ. In the past three years, Ft. Huachuca's Child and Youth Services programs have progressed from zero to 150 youth enrolled in 4-H. The addition of these new 4-H members has increased the 4-H membership in Cochise County by 30%. Youth from Ft. Huachuca participate in county 4- H activities such as the Photography Clinic, Cake Decorating Workshop, Teen Ski Exchange, and will attend summer teen camping opportunities. Ft. Huachuca's program is a model for other afterschool 4-H programs as they are fully integrated into the Cochise County and Arizona State 4-H programs. Quote: A quote from Mrs. Robinson, one of the School Age Service care providers, summarizes the impact of this program, "When I first heard about 4-H, I hated it! Didn't even want to think about it. And when Mrs. Lotten, Mrs. Verble, and Mrs. Tessman (4-H Agents) talked about the program coming to us, I didn't even want to get involved because I'm not thinking about no cows, hogs, and pigs. Now that I know what 4-H can be, and what it's all about for the children, I'm starting to get into it. Now I'm into photography. The children like it and I like it real well, because I get to see the expression of how the kids feel about 4-H and what we do with the photography club.” Return to Top   Success Story #: 15Posted Date: 4/21/2004 City: not listed County: Seward State: NE Program Name: Seward County (NE) LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL! Success Story: Families in Seward County (Nebraska) made it a point to attend the LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL! celebration on October 20 at Seward Middle School and October 23 at Centennial School in Utica. Volunteers from Concordia, school staff, and high school students ran the event. The LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL! event is one of 6000 nationwide held in October. 4-H Afterschool Director, Tammy Stuhr, and Youth Program Assistant, Leah Davis, visited every Top Time at the Seward Middle School in order to promote the event. It paid off as over 150 people attended the Seward event. At Centennial Public School the Lights On! event was held in conjunction with the annual Fun Night on October 23. Over 250 students and their families attended. The Parent Organization (ABC's) asked 4-H AFTERSCHOOL to be a partner in the event again in 2004. At each school, a sundae buffet full of sweets was enjoyed by the students and their families along with carnival-type atmosphere of activities from building an indoor rocket to decorating a spider web out of frosting to a magician teaching magic tricks. The event was free for the family. Lights On Afterschool! is hosted by the 4-H AFTERSCHOOL program which is a collaborative effort of Seward County Bridges, Inc., University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, Seward County 4-H, Seward Middle School, and Centennial Public School. LIGHTS ON! was designed to give youth a taste of what the afterschool clubs are all about. Also, the families attending received ½ price registration as a result of attending for the November clubs. The paybacks from the event were key to the future success of afterschool clubs. New club instructors were recruited. Concordia University is encouraging their students to volunteer. Clubs have been filling to capacity, and some overfilling. Quote: Seward's In-School Coordinator, Juanita Hill summed the event up, "I was amazed by the sheer number of people who attended." Return to Top   Success Story #: 12Posted Date: 11/17/2003 City: not listed County: Ft. Huachuca  State: AZ Program Name: Ft. Huachuca, AZ LOA Event Success Story: Our parent participation was the highest it's been in a long time. We combined an Army field day to show the children what their parents do while the children are in our after- school program, with National 4-H Week, to show the parents what the children do in our after-school programs while the parents are working. A LOA proclamation, signed by the Garrison Commander, appeared in the post newspaper. We advertised the event in our School-Age newsletter and we got two-pages of coverage, photos and text, in the post newspaper. Return to Top   Success Story #: 11Posted Date: 11/7/2003 City: Bolivar County: Polk State: MO Program Name: LOA in Polk County, Missouri Success Story: Gerry Tester, Store manager at J. C. Penney's in Springfield, Mo came to Bolivar to attend the Polk county LOA!! We also had school administrators from schools in our county. Each AS program had a representative there to accept the checks and each program was able to give a brief talk about what they offer in their program. The programs were also able to put up posters, pictures and other materials that showcase what the kids get to do in their program. Ina Linville, state 4- H youth specialist gave a short keynote address about Lights On! and what we can do to promote after school programs across Missouri. We served cake and punch and had a few kids from various programs at the event doing arts and crafts. Our LOA!! was a huge success and we are looking forward to making it even bigger next year. Return to Top   Success Story #: 10Posted Date: 10/20/2003 City: not listed County: Farmington State: MO Program Name: LOA OnBase in Missouri Success Story: Farmington's after school program OnBase and 4-H Afterschool started promoting our Lights On Afterschool rally on Fri. Oct. 3. This was our towns homecoming so we had a float in the parade with 100 OnBase students and 4-H members. Then at the football game that night the mayor, Charles Rorex, presented a proclamation to a dozen OnBase students and 4-H members on the 50-yard line as a part of the pre-game actives. Oct. 6-8 OnBase students made games to put in the carnival that was a part of the rally. On Oct. 9 300 kids, parents and community leaders came to the rally. The mayor was the keynote speaker and then we watched performances from 3 different after school originations. There were informational booths set up from 4-H, OnBase, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and dance studios. The carnival was ran by the OnBase 7th and 8th graders that made the games with the help of 4-H members and Girl Scouts. The rally gave us an opportunity to raise awareness about the need for after school programs but maybe more importantly the rally allowed us to let people know how they can help us keep our programs running. Return to Top   Success Story #: 9Posted Date: 10/17/2003 City: Fulton County: not listed State: MO Program Name: LOA in Fulton, Missouri Success Story: This was our first LOA! event. Our program is an afterschool study hall program that includes elements of the MO 4-H Community/Youth Development Afterschool Computer Lab project and Fulton AmeriCorps. We had over 60 guests, and 25 kids involved in our program also attended. Two groups of 4 kids gave Power Point presentations about our program and our computer lab. The kids demonstrated different activities that they do during the after school hours. We also highlighted our mentoring program as well. We hope to gain more support of our community and that we will be able to do this event again next year, but bigger and better! Return to Top   Success Story #: 8Posted Date: 10/16/2003 City: Bethel County: not listed State: AK Program Name: Lights On Afterschool in Alaska Success Story: Bethel Youth Center located in Bethel, Alaska held an Open House on October 9th. We invited all the youth that attend the Afterschool Program, thier families, the City Council, City Committee members, the Mayor and the Commuity members to attend this event. The 4-H Cooking group baked cookies and bars for the event. Light Bulbs were colored and have been sent to Washington. We hope to have a larger event next year. Return to Top   Success Story #: 7Posted Date: 10/14/2003 City: not listed County: not listed State: OH Program Name: 3rd Annual LOA!! Success Story: This year was our third annual Lights On After School Celebration. This year approximately 125 paticipants were involved. The children put on a great variety show with refreshments being served followig the event. Parents, local school represenatives and base personel were invited to attend. Return to Top   Success Story #: 6Posted Date: 10/13/2003 City: not listed County: not listed State: NJ Program Name: NJ 4-H AS Club Hosts LOA! Celebration! Success Story: Howell, NJ - Numerous children participated today at a Lights On Afterschool! rally - one of 5,000 such events across the nation. These events emphasize the importance of keeping afterschool program lights on and doors open. 4-H staff at the event spoke to the 4-H members about the importance of afterschool programs. A nine-year-old participant from Howell, spoke about why he felt that afterschool programs are important. He was quoted as saying: "We learn to be united, we do fun stuff, take trips, learn about 4-H, lots of people teach us many, many things like arts and crafts and discipline." Kelly Dumas, 4-H Program Assistant in Monmouth County, related her thoughts about the benefits of after-school care; "It has been wonderful having the opportunity to watch the growth of the children who participate in the 4-H after-school clubs. The children have the chance to participate in educational activities that they may not have been able to during the school hours. After 3pm these children work on community service projects, learn about gardening, and conflict resolution and teamwork -all great alternatives to unsupervised activities." A ten-year-old participant from Freehold was making a beautiful drawing about his favorite part of after-school when he stated that he has learned more because 4-H is combined with his afterschool care program. Matthew is one of several students who has experienced the impact and goals of 4-H Afterschool, which is to keep our children safe, help them learn and to relieve working parent's worries about their children's afternoons. All of the 4-H members participated in a craft project consisting of coloring light bulbs and then signing a huge light bulb that hangs on their wall. They are in grades K - 5th and thoroughly enjoy the afterschool program that is managed through the local YMCA. Return to Top   Success Story #: 19Posted Date: 9/11/2003 City: not listed County: Cabarrus State: NC Program Name: Cabarrus County (NC) 4-H Afterschool Grant Support Success Story: The Cabarrus County (NC)4-H Afterschool Program is expanding! Our expansion is due to a $25,000 grant from the Cannon Foundation, Inc. The Foundation's Board of Directors was very impressed with our 4-H Afterschool program and how involved in the community the 4-H Afterschool sites are. With the grant funding, we will be able to hire someone for one year to train volunteers (teachers), expand the 4-H Afterschool program by at least 16 sites (567 youth), and to assist with marketing our 4-H Afterschool program. Funding will also be used for purchasing 4-H curriculum and 4-H Afterschool In A Box kits. The 4-H Afterschool Roll Out National conference notebook was a tremendous help in writing this grant! The Foundation committee was so impressed with all the statistics we had listed in the grant application. Thank you so much for all your support on the local, state and national level. 4-H Afterschool is so successful because of your dedication. Return to Top   Success Story #: 18Posted Date: 8/21/2003 City: not listed County: Clinton State: DE Program Name: Delaware 4-H Afterschool Receives Grant Success Story: Delaware 4-H has been awarded another 21st Century Grant. The $250K/yr for 5 year grant will fund an after- school program in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The program will begin hiring staff shortly. Currently, 2 of the 10 Delaware 21st Century sites are 4-H, and a third site has a 4-H program as one of its locations. Beginning this fall, Delaware 4-H will be spending about $600,000/year on after-school programs. This program will give 4-H a much needed visible presence in downtown Wilmington. Needless to say we're pretty proud of ourselves. With the opening of the Early Learning Center on campus next June, and hopefully our participation there, we will be well positioned to be out in front of the pack in after-school in Delaware. Return to Top   Success Story #: 17Posted Date: 6/11/2003 City: not listed County: Bristol State: MA Program Name: Youth and Seniors Work together in Massachusetts Success Story: The New Bedford 4-H Afterschool Programs continue to be active and growing since its inception in 1994. Residents of economically disadvantaged neighborhoods within the city are trained in youth development and conduct community service learning programs. Students at four elementary schools and two Middle schools are involved in life skill development and healthier lifestyles for senior citizens and themselves – learning about nutrition and fitness. 4-H also offers weeklong school vacation programs during the February, April and Summer Vacations with a workforce, on the job-training component for teens. Approximately 200-250 youth in Grades K-12 are involved in 4-H programs, yearly. These programs have been featured in the University of Massachusetts Extension magazine “Catalyst,” cited as programs of excellence by U Mass Amherst Outreach and published by USDA as Programs of Excellence. Individual staff and members have received recognition for excellence and published on brochures promoting 4-H urban programs. The senior citizen/youth program aired on PBS TV's "ZOOM" in 2001. The New Bedford 4-H Afterschool Programs exist via collaboration with the New Bedford Housing Authority and 4-H. Over the course of nine years, the Bristol County 4-H/Extension Educator, now retired and brought back as consultant and supervisor, continues to hire, train, facilitate program planning and implementation, monitor and supervise staff and the programs. 4-H curriculum is used in a variety of ways, such as: Public Adventures is used for a community service learning component. Values for Life and “Inner and Shared Space” activities from the old Michigan SPACES curriculum, and Walk In My Shoes for life skills and diversity training, Curriculum used during the vacation programs depends on the theme of the week. Example: In Touch Science was used extensively this summer for Science and Environmental weeks. Return to Top   Success Story #: 16Posted Date: 6/9/2003 City: not listed County: Greene State: NC Program Name: 4-H Afterschool and Summer Camp Success Story: I would like to take a moment of your time to tell what a wonderful asset the 4-H after-school and summer camp programs have been to Greene County. I am a mother of an eight year old boy who has been in the program now for a little over 3 years. I love the convenience of him walking basically across the hall to the after-school area. The program focuses on things most parents forget or do not have the time to teach their children, community values! My son has learned how to take care of his community and that he really matters and has a place in the community. The program allows my son to concentrate on reading and doing his homework. The teachers are always there to lend a helping hand. Overall the program has had a very positive affect on my child. I hope that there continues to be the support that the program needs to be available for future children in the community. Return to Top