MSU Extension 4-H Programs Receive National Honors
MSU Extension 4-H Programs Receive National Honors
9/5/07
Contact: Michelle Lavra
517-432-1555, ext. 156
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Two Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) 4-H programs have recently been recognized as Programs of Distinction by the National 4-H headquarters and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.
The 4-H Kids Club of Leelanau County, led by MSUE educator Barbara Duvall, and Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring of Ottawa County, led by MSUE educator Lisa Bottomley, each received the national honor.
The Programs of Distinction designation recognizes high quality 4-H youth development programs in communities throughout the United States for their strong, positive impacts in the communities they serve.
“It’s a tremendous honor to have two Michigan programs selected as Programs of Distinction,” said Cheri Booth, state leader for Extension 4-H youth development. “Each of these innovative programs shows a commitment to community needs and takes action on local needs. They are terrific examples of partnership, quality ideas and lots of hard work, and they’re truly deserving of this recognition.”
Duvall’s 4-H Kids Club is an after-school child care and development program that provides a safe, positive environment for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program, which works collaboratively with four elementary schools in Leelanau County, gives children the opportunity to interact and build friendships while participating in various creative activities geared toward specific age groups. Children also learn leadership and conflict resolution skills, participate in community service projects and receive help with their homework.
“It’s a wonderful honor for our program to be nationally recognized,” Duvall said. “The program has really grown and evolved, thanks to the great collaborative effort of school personnel, child care staff members, parents and community members. They all deserve to be recognized for this achievement.”
Acceptance to the Programs of Distinction also makes programs eligible to apply for additional awards, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation Family Strengthening Awards, which reward exemplary, innovative and effective 4-H youth development programs that improve outcomes for rural, disadvantaged families.
Bottomley’s Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring program, which pairs disadvantaged youth with adult mentors, was one of five programs in the country to receive a Family Strengthening Award and its $15,000 prize.
“We’re very honored and excited to receive these awards,” Bottomley said. “We work with so many amazing kids and phenomenal 4-H volunteers, and these honors are really a great tribute to them. They deserve to be recognized for all of the outstanding work they’ve accomplished.”
Bottomley’s program aims to reduce behavioral problems in disadvantaged youth by pairing them with an adult mentor for a minimum of one year so they may receive positive influence and guidance. She hopes to expand the number of mentors, volunteers and youth served in the near future, while maintaining the high level of quality that has defined the program for years.
“Many of these kids grow up without any parents or guardians around because they’re away working two or three jobs just to get by,” Bottomley said. “Our program exposes youth to positive socialization and interaction with other adults and kids. I’m glad to be a part of something that has dramatically affected so many lives.”
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