Financial Security for All (Eddy County)

* 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.

During the year several program were offered by the Home Economist that included useful information on managing personal and family finances. Although program topics varied from backyard gardening, home organization tips, emergency preparedness, the economy and consumer products the Home Economist found it very important to identify in each program ways that individuals could stretch their budget and be prepared for unseen circumstances. Participants were instructed on ways to save dollars as they planned and prepared a backyard herb and vegetable planting. They also learned how organizing personal files can save time and money over time as important documents, debts, and monthly paperwork is handled in an orderly fashion. The Home Economist presented a program on the comparison of various consume products and participants learned that generic brand items can be just as good or better that brand name items in many situations from cooking to stain removal. As it is becoming a tradition, the Home Economist also implemented some Holiday entertaining, gifting, and decorating ideas that are in expensive and creative ways to personalize the holidays. This year approximately one-hundred and fifty adults participated in these programs and learned how personal and family finances should be tied into all that we consider as consumers. The target audiences for these programs were childcare providers, Extension Homemakers and the general public.

Managing personal finances was a concept included in various programs presented by the Home Economist this year. Programs offered by the Home Economist were designed for and requested by Extension Homemakers, childcare providers, religious organizations, and 4-H leaders. Though financial management was not the main topic of any given program, it was a concept that was incorporated into all programs offered by the Home Economist. Some of the programs offered which included a financial security component were emergency preparedness, holiday entertaining, preserving the environment, home food preservation, organizing 4-H clubs, decorating outdoors, protecting your identity, and consumer education for youth. Budgeting, using coupons, recycling, marketing concepts, and filing plans were some of the components covered to encourage financial security within the programs. One hundred and fifty eight participants attended these programs.

The Home Economist provided programs that incorporated financial security. The programs were offered to the Eddy County Extension Homemakers as well as any community member who wished to attend. The topics for the programs that encouraged ways to save money included simple holiday ideas, reducing electrical use around the home, how to entertain on a budget, small scale gardening, and getting more from an old pair of jeans. Each program explained ways to reduce out of pocket expenses, as well as how to budget for things like large get-togethers and a backyard garden. Examples of how costs could be cut for each idea were also included. Approximately 170 participants attended these programs.