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December 21, 2005
Volume 1, Issue 12
Welcome to the 4-H Afterschool Newsletter, the national online news source for 4-H Afterschool!
4-H Afterschool News:
Meet the 4-H Afterschool Opens Doors Award-Winning Volunteers: Part 1
Resources and Opportunities:
Know an Exceptional 4-H Youth? Tell Us!
GLOW Crazy with 4-H Afterschool Wristband
NFL Wristbands and CD Benefit JCPenney Afterschool Fund
Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21 Offer Celebration of Teaching & Learning
4-H AFTERSCHOOL NEWS
Meet the 4-H Afterschool Opens Doors Award-Winning Volunteers: Part 1
If it were not for our volunteers, 4-H – and 4-H Afterschool – would never happen. In recognition of this fact, on July 28, 2005, we announced that 4-H Afterschool was offering an award for 4-H Volunteers involved in 4-H Afterschool programming. We called the award the 4-H Afterschool Opens Doors Award -- an award made possible by support from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. We were overwhelmed by the stories we received of the great work 4-H Volunteers are doing on behalf of 4-H Afterschool. Last month we announced the names of the 25 award winners. In this issue and the following four issues, we will highlight these winners’ outstanding programs and achievements.
Alex Lopez, Chandler, Arizona
Alex, a full-time student at Chandler/Gilbert Community College, serves 4-H as a mentor for Project SOAR (Student Opportunity for Academic Renewal), an intensive after-school Extension initiative which targets at-risk youth and families by matching youth with college student mentors. Project SOAR’s goal is to encourage students to focus their efforts on educational and personal values through extensive mentoring, academic support, and positive community involvement. Alex makes these goals come alive. As a result of his efforts, his students have improved both their academic abilities and their home lives. When asked about Alex, his students respond enthusiastically, “Everyone wants to be like Alex!”
Dave Kniker, Kewanee, Illinois
The citizens of Kewanee, Illinois were concerned about what their children were doing during the after-school hours. Consequently, they used a CYFAR grant to develop the Area Board of Child Development (ABCD), which provided their children with after-school assistance with homework, physical activities, enrichment activities and a snack all in a safe place. Board Chairman Dave Kniker contributed substantially to the development and success of the ABCD program, and continues to focus on the program’s sustainability. Dave has established a network and rapport with local service agencies such as Rotary, Kiwanis, United Way, and National Guard to continue the essential financial support necessary to continue operating the program. To ensure programs are meaningful, Dave uses 4-H curricula and staff training materials in the organization and program delivery. In addition, Dave actively seeks in-kind contributions from local businesses ranging from free ad space in local newspapers to articles about the program to highlight program accomplishments. He also secures contributions from the school districts for scholarships for families, busing, facilities, and snacks. Dave continues to remain up to date on current and emerging trends in after-school programming making the ABCD a promise for the future.
Janel Cole, Columbia, Missouri
Janel is a dedicated volunteer who runs a 4-H Afterschool Computer Club at the Intersection, an independent, non-profit, non-sectarian organization that promotes the development of a healthy community by preparing the next generation to be responsible, committed members of society. The objectives of Janel’s club are to promote a better understanding of computers and to enhance employability of her members. Janel continues to work tirelessly to make the 4-H Afterschool Computer Club an enriching after-school activity, and hopes to bring more 4-H clubs to the Intersection.
Kim Griffin, Prineville, Oregon
Kim Griffin’s 4-H Afterschool work in Crook County is all about agricultural education. Kim says, “I have a great passion for children and agriculture so this makes for some fantastic programming for our youth.” Her Afterschool classes average 30 students per day with a waiting list of students just ready for the next class to start. Her programs are highly regarded. Teachers have commented on how knowledgeable students are who have attended her programs and one school principal even reported hearing students talking about Kim’s programs while walking in the halls. Kim tells her students that in her program they will automatically earn six “F’s,” yet they still come. Why? Those six “F’s” stand for Farming, Food, Forests, Fishing, and Fiber – the six agricultural concepts her program teaches. Of course, the students always add a seventh “F” to the list – FUN.
Michael Edwards, Conroe, Texas
Over the past five years, Michael Edwards, a Morning Star 4-H member has demonstrated leadership qualities as a teen volunteer far beyond his young age of 14. Michael is a 4-H teen volunteer whose qualities as a leader inspire others. Michael is committed to supporting 4-H Afterschool programs. This year, 2005, Michael attended the CYFAR Conference in Boston as the 4-H Youth Teen Leader for New Communities: Kidz with Biz Ideaz-Conroe Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) 4-H After-School/Out of School. He has volunteered ten hours and worked with over 50 youth to assist with teaching entrepreneurship skills this summer at Travis Intermediate School and continues to support the Conroe YEP After-School programs this fall. Michael is always looking for opportunities to bring 4-H Afterschool to new youth audiences. He accepted a leadership role in support of an Adopt-A-Club program for the Tamina Community Center Afterschool program. This spring, along with others he has recruited for the program, he will train to teach 4-H WOW at the center. Modest and humble, generous and thoughtful, if you asked Michael about his role as a teen leader supporting 4-H Afterschool programs he would likely say, “I have not done enough.” As he strives to reach his full potential, Michael’s vision continues to significantly define youth leadership for after-school programs in Montgomery County.
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RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Know an Exceptional 4-H Youth? Tell Us!
We all know why 4-H is special, but we need your help to tell everyone out there who doesn't yet know! We're looking for stories about exceptional youth who are making a difference through 4-H—outstanding leaders, unique activities and other stories that we can develop to tell the story of 4-H Afterschool across the country. For example, there’s a 4-H teen in Kentucky who raises money to outfit police dogs with bulletproof vests and a 4-H youth who makes blankets to send back to the orphanage in Russia she was adopted from.
Do you know of a story that’s interesting, inspiring or unique? You don’t have to write it, just call us and talk—we’ll do the rest. Repeat, you don’t have to write it!
A short conversation will go a long way towards promoting 4-H across the country. It helps increase awareness of the good 4-H does for our youth, and ensures continued funding for our programs. So please take a minute, think about all the great things 4-H youth and programs do, and TELL US! E-mail us at wow@fourhcouncil.edu or call Gretchen at 301-961-2829.
GLOW Crazy with 4-H Afterschool Wristband
GLOW crazy with a 4-H Afterschool wristband and show your support of after-school programs! The GLOW-IN-THE-DARK 4-H Afterschool wristbands are now available in youth and adult sizes. Check it out here.
Other available 4-H Afterschool items include:
- A white ceramic mug with emblem
- Navy blue polo shirt with emblem on left chest
- T-shirts with emblem across chest
- Green 4-H Afterschool tote bags
- 4-H Afterschool lanyard
- 4-H Afterschool pen
All of these items are available through the National 4-H Supply Service and in the 2006 4-H Source Book.
NFL Wristbands and CD Benefit JCPenney Afterschool Fund
Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? What better way to show your spirit than to sport your favorite NFL team's official wrist bands during the season? JCPenney is the exclusive retailer of the official NFL wrist bands that are sure to be the hit of the summer. Each set sells for $2.39 and includes two wrist bands in the team's home and away colors. All net profits from the sale of the wrist bands and NFL royalties go to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, which provides support to after-school programs such as 4-H Afterschool.
JCPenney is also selling Kenny Chesney’s new CD, “The Road and the Radio,” at stores nationwide. All net profits from the sale of the CD at JCPenney stores will be donated to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund to support after-school programs throughout the nation.
Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21 Offer Celebration of Teaching & Learning
Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21 are proud to present the CELEBRATION OF TEACHING & LEARNING, March 24-25, 2006, a unique professional development conference for K-12 educators. The conference is our recognition of the extraordinary contribution made by educators to our communities. Although we assume that most participants will come from the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area, we already have interest from Texas, Oklahoma, and Alaska! You're all invited, so please take a few minutes to explore the Web site.
The Celebration will have all the attributes of the best education conferences with a list of keynote speakers that is second to none and a strong array of small, hands-on sessions. Join us for the Town Hall meeting moderated by Tom Brokaw and the Forum moderated by Gwen Ifill. Enjoy a live presentation by teacher Rafe Esquith and the Hobart Shakespeareans or receive a mini-lesson from the student stars of the hit movie "Mad Hot Ballroom." World-renowned actor Richard Dreyfuss will be there. More is planned, especially for the Exhibit Hall where we promise some of the best give-aways and goody bags you've ever seen!
Online registration for the CELEBRATION OF TEACHING & LEARNING is now open! Visit http://www.thirteencelebration.org to learn more about our daily agendas and ticket costs for our first annual Conference.
JCPenney Afterschool Fund is the national presenting sponsor of 4-H Afterschool.
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