Youth Development (Bernalillo County)

Two Service Learning high school students worked with the urban 4-H programs throughout the 2007-2008 school year. Margareta and Angeleca came to our office every Thursday afternoons and most days went with us to do programs at the Community Centers. I think they had a good experience being part of the urban 4-H team and we were glad to have their help!

Urban 4-H was awarded a mini grant to expand our efforts in Bernalillo County. Robyn Kelley was hired part-time with grant money, this is a summary of her program; During the months of October, November, and December I spent Wednesdays and
Thursdays facilitating programs in Cesar Chavez Community Center (CC) and West
Mesa Community Center (WIvI) respectively with youth in their afterschool program.
During the month of October I spent time getting acquainted with the youth, participating in activities already planned by the centers. At CC, since I went so early in the day, there was a small group of children who got out of school early every Wednesday; but the ages ranged from five years old to 14 years old. At WM, I worked primarily with the 11 and up age range. During the months of January through May, I spent Thursdays facilitating 4-H programs at West
Mesa Community Center (WMCC) with youth in their afterschool program. Below is a calendar of events outlining the programs facilitated from February through April. During the month of January I spent time in the Center’s regular programming, participating in activities already planned by the centers. In May, I facilitated a couple of Meth Education & Prevention classes developed by our office using 4-H resources. I primarily worked with the 11 year olds and older; involving 45 youth, 3 youth volunteers, and 8 staff throughout the semester. In addition to facilitating 4-H programs, I started each session with a video and discussion on character development. Topics included trust, responsibility, respect, integrity, honesty, citizenship, fairness, and caring

The 4-H agents in Bernalillo County work with the Middle Rio Grande Children’s Water Festival committee to put on and organize a water festival open to Albuquerque and Rio Rancho’s 4th grade students. During the planning process, the agent served as a committee member to give assistance and suggestions with youth activities. During the two day event the county agents presented a workshop titled Farming to Feed You. As a result 4th grade students learned about water, farming, and how farmers save water. They also learned how to conserve water and why water is important. Elliott, Tamara and Cindy earned the Western Regional award for Natural Resources/Environment Education-Team for their Farming to Feed You workshop.

The summer programs at the 28 Albuquerque Community Centers provide children’s programs for thousands of kids. I have worked for the past few summers with the ICAN (ideas in food and nutrition) educators in Bernalillo County to connect them with the center directors and bring ICAN programs into the summer community center sites. Hundreds of kids learn about the new food pyramid and healthy food choices during the summer thanks to the work of our ICAN educators.

As a follow up lesson for classes who attended the Kids, Kows and More event I went to several 2nd grade classrooms and talk about New Mexico dairy industry and the importance of eating healthy.