Financial Security for All (Chaves County)

Emergency Preparedness was one of the topics for the Extension Clubs Leader’s Training. This training was taught to 100 participants. Participants learned the importance of planning ahead for disasters. Sample foods and supplies from the Emergency Supply List were available to illustrate how easy it was to make a kit for their household. The participants gained knowledge on how to make a plan, how to make an emergency kit, and how to make an “In Case of Emergency Notebook.” Through the activities provided with this program, one participant stated that “this program really made her think about what she and her family would do if they were faced with an emergency such as a fire or snowstorm”. Handouts were passed out including Homeland Security’s “Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans”, “Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Special Needs,” Agro-guard Bags and the leader’s training booklet that was prepared by the home economist. At the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, the home economist facilitated the distribution of emergency preparedness brochures to local clientele. Over 2000 pieces of information was given out at this event. A display booth that focused on the subject “Emergency Preparedness” was also available for clientele to view.

Women’s Financial Planning presented by a guest speaker to 105 participants, focused on tips and strategies for women in areas of banking, personal finance, credit, insurance and retirement. Participants will apply the information learned in this program in their personal lives along with sharing it with family members and others.

The home economist offered seven additional programs in the area of consumerism/financial security. These programs were delivered as Extension Leader’s Trainings, Make-N-Take It Workshops, and to a PEO Chapter. All programs were open to the public. Hands-on program topics included making inexpensive ornaments and gifts for the holiday, learning to crayon appliqué, creating birthday books, and designing inexpensive tablescapes. Over 475 participants gained personal finance concepts through these programs which resulted in knowledge gained and increased savings throughout the year. The crayon appliqué quilt made by the Extension Club members was donated to the Chaves County 4-H program, tickets were then sold and the quilt was raffled off. The proceeds earned were donated to the UNM Cancer Research Project. This community service project, sponsored by the State 4-H Officers earned over $800. A total of 1000 Leader’s Training booklets on each of these subjects were distributed at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, along with a display booth.

“Fixin Up Flea Market Finds” presented by the home economist to 120 participants, focused on how to shop at garage sales, flea markets and antique stores. Participants gained knowledge in basic money management concepts, how to buy and sell used goods, how to save by restoring old items, making new things out of old things and recycling.

“Going Green” was the topic for Extension Homemakers Leader’s Training. This training was well received by 100 participants. Participants learned how to make environmentally friendly decisions without having to change their entire lifestyle. If small changes made by the participants were incorporated into their lifestyle on a regular basis, it will have a huge positive impact on the environment. Participants were given the opportunity to compare the cost and effectiveness of environmentally friendly products such as cleaning supplies, paper goods, and light bulbs. One participant after attending the training said, “She didn’t realize all the little things she could do, that would make a difference.”

The home economist offered eight additional programs in the area of financial security. These programs were delivered as Extension Leader’s Training and Make It Take It Workshops. All programs were also open to public. Hands-on program topics included making easy and inexpensive gifts for the holidays, recycling, gardening and creative & inexpensive ways to decorate for the fall season. Over 530 participants gained personal finance concepts through these programs which resulted in knowledge gained and increased savings throughout the year. One of the participants reported that a program on recycling reached into the state of Wisconsin as one of the guests in attendance from that state, presented the workshop when she got home.

The home economist offered five programs in the area of financial security. These programs were delivered as Extension Leader’s Training and opened to the public. Program topics included legal issues, recycling, and make it take it workshops. Four hundred ninety participants were trained in these topics, which will result in knowledge gained and increased savings.