Financial Security for All - Personal Finance

Ten percent (16%) of the individuals who have taken a craft, sewing, or quilting class from the Lea County Extension Service, exhibited their projects at the Lea County Fair or the local quilt shows. The projects were judged at these events and the individuals received high placings for their projects. In the last 5 years the judges of the Creative Arts Division of the fair have commented on the quality of workmanship they have seen in the exhibits they are judging.

For some participants, the projects have become a family affair. The parents have come to learn the skill, then in turn have taught it to their children. Because of this “trickle down” effect, several have taught their sons and daughters how to quilt or sew. Three out of the ten kids, exhibited their projects at the fair in the open youth division. In 2011, the open youth entries showed a large increase in the creative arts type exhibits. The youth who had been taught by these skills by their parent, had completed several different articles and placed high in their classes.

Several craft, sewing and quilting workshops and classes were scheduled for county residents and extension homemaker members throughout the last year. The workshops ranged from beginning quilting to needle art, scrapbooking and beginner sewing. Twenty percent (20%) of the workshop participants signed up for another workshop upon completing their first class.

Approximately half of those who signed up for a second class, choose a class to further their skills. While others choose classes to learn alternative skills. For insistence, those who had enrolled in the beginner quilting class, then enrolled in another quilting class to further their skills. Whereas others may have chosen to enroll in the needle art class rather than another quilting class. Eighty-five percent of the individuals who attended a workshop provided by the Lea County Extension Service, completed the project, and have moved onto other projects.

Holiday craft workshops were provided for the general public, extension homemakers, and the parents of Headstart. Each of the class participants completed one or more projects during the allotted time period. Twenty-five percent of those participants, purchased additional supplies and made holiday crafts for family and friends.

Several of the bulletins in the Clothing series have been updated within the last two years. In 2011, the home economist began working the Family Resource Management Specialist to revise the Designing Your Sewing Center publication. The publication was revised to add design ideas for other hobbies like general crafts, painting, and scrapbooking. New photography and images were researched, developed and added in for a new look.

The agent presented a money management program to residents at a senior housing complex. The agent utilized a curriculum by the Idaho State University Cooperative Extension Service called Dollar Decisions which is available in English and Spanish.

* Within 6 months of completing the Foot in the Door program, 85% of its 166 participants reported that they were more aware of how to successfully complete a job application, over 40% have actively searched for employment using techniques and tools developed in the program, and 20% have obtained employment.
* Ten percent (10%) of participants who partook in a craft, sewing, or quilting class from the Lea County Extension Service, exhibited their projects at the Lea County Fair or the local quilt shows
* Among the 36 participants of “Knowing Your Credit” at the Clovis Community College Professional Improvement Training, 25% of the participants acknowledged that they have recently obtained their credit report and approximately 50% replied that they plan to get a report based on information presented in this program.
* Five percent (5%) of Going Green Workshop participants in Lea County have begun to implement small energy saving techniques in their homes and businesses.
* As a result of the holiday craft workshops in Lea County, 20% of the workshop participants completed additional crafts as a gift for family and friends, 10% enrolled in additional extension service programs, and 20% of the participants have begun to improve their crafts skills and move onto more difficult items/projects.
* After various beginner quilting classes in Lea County, 80% of their participants would recognize the equipment necessary to complete the project on their own, 30% purchased additional supplies to duplicate the craft at home, and 90% completed the craft item during class time to show off to other classmates as well as family and friends.
* From a Knowing Your Credit Reports and Credit Reports seminar to 69 adults at the Retired Teachers Association, 30% of its participants acknowledged that they have recently obtained their credit report and approximately 50 % replied that they plan to get a report based on information presented in this program.
* Twenty five percent of the participants in the sewing, quilting and craft programs provided by Lea County Extension Service are exhibiting their completed items in the county fair and local quilt shows.

* After completing the Foot in the Door program, over 75% of its 166 participants reported a greater understanding and awareness of the programs available to assist job seekers, 85% had developed a professional resume and summary statement, over 90% reported that they had improved their interviewing techniques and had “greatly” benefited from the mock interviewing experience, and over 95% had set a goal regarding their financial behaviors.
* Dollar Decisions programs in Doña Ana county saw 80% of participants increased their knowledge and awareness related to money management.