Adult Volunteer Leader Development (Bernalillo County)

In June of 2006 New Mexico was the 45th state to join the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The Mission of Jump$tart of New Mexico is stated; “to be a non-profit organization that seeks to educate and empower youth and adults with the information and resources necessary to make informed financial decisions”. Representatives from Cooperative Extension, NMSU College of Business, and the Stock Market Game have been involved since the beginning sharing programs, resources and expertise in the area of financial education.
On April 30th Jump$tart along with the NM Coalition for Financial Education sponsored The Lt. Governor’s Summit on Financial Education. The event was a day of workshops on financial education and its importance for all ages. Through out the day over 400 people came through the summit including 135 classroom teachers from around the state.
During the 2006 legislative session House Bill 1205 was passed requiring all high schools in New Mexico to offer at least an elective class on Financial Education.
Extension has many resources that will be helpful in this endeavor, particularly the NEFE (National Endowment for Financial Education) High School Financial Planning Program.
Connie Kratzer, Extensions’ Family Resource Management Specialist presented a workshop for teachers explaining this free high school financial program. There was much interest particularly among the high school teachers who attended the workshop, stopped by our display or have called since the event with questions about the NEFE program and 4-H curriculum on being a Savvy Consumer.
With the passing of House Bill 1205 we anticipate Extension being a huge resource in the area of financial education throughout the state.

Sunday December 10th, 2006 the National Guard Family Support Services hosted a holiday party for National Guard families from around the state. Families who currently have a family member deployed and other Guard families attended this festive event.
Urban 4-H provided a cookie decorating activity and set up an information table showcasing 4-H and other Cooperative Extension programs available throughout the state of New Mexico. Several New Mexico businesses donated toys and food for these families who have given so much for all of us.

Saturday December 9th, 2006 East Central Ministries hosted a health fair for people living in Albuquerque’s Southeast Heights. Urban 4-H participated in this community event and brought information to share about 4-H youth opportunities as well as information on the ICAN/EFNEP programs in Bernalillo County. Diabetes screening, blood pressure check, immunizations and free flu shots were just a few of the other services offered at this Health fair. The East Central Ministries serves a high poverty, high minority population in Albuquerque. This first annual health fair was well attended and many free services were provided for the community.

The 4th annual Youth Practitioners Summit took place at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Dec. 5,6,7, 2006. Some 480+ people participated in the conference from youth development fields or those who support youth development across the state of New Mexico. This year the urban 4-H staff was active in the conference planning, presented a workshop on Positive Youth Development and set up a 4-H display. Staff from the State 4-H office came from Las Cruces to do workshops on Youth Adult Partnership and Volunteerism. Paula Sanchez from Los Alamos put together a display highlighting the Healthy and Fit program for 5th grade students currently happening in the northern part of our state.
The efforts from NM Cooperative Extension were much appreciated and well received by the youth practitioners who attended this year’s summit.

Cindy Schlenker Davies has signed on to support Adult Volunteer Leader Development within Bernalillo County.