Progress 09/15/05 to 09/14/06
Outputs
Our proposal has addressed a special need (the need develop supervised programs and/or clubs for at-risk youth); Youth Development (through the implementation of the Mi-Wah-Si-N 4-H Club); and/or demonstrate long-term sustained benefit (which is what will result from this proposed project if funded). This project will address all three elements, as wells as a major priority of CSREES, which is to provide 4-H and youth development activities to at-risk youth. The project supports healthy learning experiences and will be utilized as an alternative opportunity for youth who have fallen through the cracks of the more popular youth development activities on our reservation.During the project period of September 15, 2005 to September 14, 2006, Stone Child College will continue to implement an exciting CSREES Special Project entitled, The Mi-Wah-Si-N 4-H Club, which will encourage supervised activities for at least 40 at -risk youth through 4-H Club membership, participation
in club activities and completion of at least one 4-H course as measured by membership records and internal and external evaluation results. Our main focus of 4-H was the development of 4-H Cloverbud discipline. Great headway was made in the 4-H programming on the Rocky Boy Reservation, after a twenty year absence from the Rocky Boy Reservation; children and adults alike enjoy the activities. There were a number of youth who participated in the seventeen 4-H programs that were started and are still on-going today. The number of children varied from thirty to one hundred depending upon the activities and level of invlovement of the adult volunteer of whom we have approximately 30. With the assistance of additional funding, 4-H was able to get firm footing in the community through advertising, visitng local schools, tribal departments, parents, and most importantly youth about what 4-H is. In addition, we were able to purchase supplies, materials and equipment that was costly for some
of our-low-income families; such as bow & arrows, sewing machines, leather tool kits. Expense had been a major deterrent for some families participating in the past, with the access of eqiupment it has opened doors for youth who have found they really have a knack for sewing or archery.
PRODUCTS: The Cloverbuds held a meeting once every month starting in October and held their theme around the holidays. For Halloween a local Havre Business donated 15 pumpkins and we matched that by purchasing 15 pumpkins and had a carving fest. The local high school mentor group came to volunteer some time with the youth which was a big relief because we had at least 30 kids show up. The next project was for Thanksgiving they discussed the meaning and made centerpieces for their tables out of dried flowers, foam, leaves etc, they are very creative and have great ideas. Christmas was delicious they made Christmas trees out of candies, frosting and sugar cones they did not last long. Sewing group, macrame, beading and various arts and crafts classes were held which were successful in that the youth completed quillows, floor pillows, plant hangers, bracelets and necklaces. We had one youth in particular who attended the dog obedience class with his dog Bandit, it was amazing to watch
him blossom from this shy timid guy to a confident young man as he and his dog did better.
OUTCOMES: The way success is determined is by the number of youth that complete the whole program be it sewing, air rifle, or Cloverbuds. The evolution of the youth is so apparent as they go through the program(s), they might not learn all of the information or do the project perfect but the process they go through learning and doing what they came to learn is fantastic. They are very proud of what they have accomplished Ideally we would like see a youth enter a project into the Hill County fair, right now it is up to the youth to decide if they want to show their projects at the fair. We used attendance sheets to show that there was an interest in the programs that we offered. In some of the classes we used some of the pre-tests or in some cases we used their beginning projects and ending projects to show how much improvement had been made. This is subtle and doesn't create a large amount of stress on the youth if they think they are being tested.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Program activities were disseminated for the CSREES reservation 4-H Special Program on a limited basis, through a monthly calendar of events posted outside of the program office and word of mouth. The Project Coordinator kept up to date information on federal legislative requirements through newspaper, e-mails from program specialist, and monthly contacts with the 4-H Director of Stone Child College. The Board of Regents were kept informed of program status through monthly reports. The monthly were given to the College Board by the Foundation and Research Director which keeps them abreast of the program's operations.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Stone Child College CSREES 4-H Special increased the enrollment for the 4-H Cloverbud Program, tribal Extension will continue to follow the Cloverbud (youth ages 6 to 8) throughout Fiscal Years 2007 to 2010. Documentation will focus on enrollment in the 4-H (Mi-Wah-Si-N) Club. Stone Child College Tribal Extension will recruit, maintain, and support the activities of the Mi-Wah-Si-N 4-H Club
Impacts
The most valuable resource the grant utilized is the volunteers who lead the various groups on their own free time. They give of themselves with great results and they as well as the youth learn and have fun. There a total of seventeen leaders for the grant period. A number of activities are done on campus at Stone Child College in the building that we are located in. The supplies and equipment are centrally located on campus. A few activities are held off campus, such as shooting sports air rifle which is held in the basement of the Havre City Fire Department shooting range. Archery is also held in Havre due to the lack of indoor space needed to safely shoot bow and arrows; we have the equipment and try to hold these events when the weather permits. Three leaders became certified in three different shooting sports areas; air pistol, air rifle and archery, this will assist in keeping some of the activities local so the youth will not have any problems with
transportation. We had 20 youth participate in the Hill County Fair with projects that they completed, most of the youth received Blue Ribbons for their projects and interviews. This is the first time for some of the youth do an interview of any sort so it is a big step, they are initially shy until they start talking about their projects, then they start to shine. Once they are done with their interview there is a sigh of relief and one major accomplishment for them!
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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