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January 10, 2008
Gering, Nebraska 4-H Youth Instill Community P.R.I.D.E
When Hispanic 4-H youth and adults in the rural northern Nebraska Panhandle towns of Gering and Scottsbluff looked for a community issue to tackle, they decided that the image of southeast Scottsbluff County did not adequately reflect the minority neighborhoods and businesses there. After facilitating an open community forum, P.R.I.D.E. (People Restoring Involvement, Dignity and Excellence) became the passion of a core group of 15 youth working in partnership with ten adults and collaborating with the community at large to improve the place that they live.
This Youth-Adult Partnership is participating in the Engaging Youth Serving Community Program funded by CSREES/USDA under Rural Youth Development Grant #2005-452901-03332 and led by National 4-H Council. They are part of a three year longitudinal project, joining at least 60 other communities in 12 states where youth as equal partners with adults conduct youth-facilitated community issue forums and then implement activities to help resolve the issue, collaborating with other community organizations and individuals. P.R.I.D.E. is the result of this process.
The “before” picture of this area shows several boarded up buildings, lots full of weeds, alleys and lots with trash, as well as graffiti on buildings. There are also several thriving businesses and residents that reside in this area that have made efforts and wish to see improvements and changes made to this area, so that this part of the community is one that is welcoming to other residents and visitors. The 4-H’ers decided to accentuate the positive and work to improve areas needing attention.
The youth, representing freshmen through seniors at Gering and Scottsbluff High Schools, and adults developed a three-pronged approach to solve this problem: Incentives and Recognition for individuals and businesses with exemplary properties, Mural Painting to cover graffiti and Landscaping to enhance natural beauty. The group has developed a logo and applied for and received grant funding from the Nebraska Forest Service and Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Community Enhancement Program. A “Graffiti Paint Over Day” has been held and the Guadaloupe Center has been refreshed with a coat of paint, engaging additional youth and adults besides the core group.
Local individuals and businesses have begun to be recognized for property image and the local newspaper has provided coverage of the award presentations. More information about this project can be found at the web site they have created at http://youthadultpartnerships.unl.edu/index.html.
Further information can be obtained from State EYSC Project Director Dr. Jeff Hart at jhart@unhlnotes.unl.edu.
Posted in category 4-H Stories at 6:25 PM