Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary (high context) audience of 200 teens developed supportive relationships with adults in inclusive and safe environments. Teens participated in a series of cultivated learning opportunities preparing them to access community-based internships focused on one of the following industries: 1) Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM including medical fields), 2) Teacher preparation, 3) Maine Food System, and 4) Social justice. Teens built their social capital through their connections to the 4-H program both across Maine and nationally. Teens experienced mentoring, helping them to identify future pathways and preparing them to be productive adults. Teens had leadership training and have ownership in planning and outreach efforts of the program. Teens attained valuable life and career skills. Teens reported having a stronger connection with their school and community. • The secondary audience of 300 youth in grades K-6 experienced hands-on learning taught by teens participating in the teacher preparation internship. Lessons contributed to academic success and the elimination out of school learning loss that many at-risk youth face. Youth report having a stronger connection with their school and community. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided both formal and informal professional development to interns, other youth development professionals on a local, statewide and national level. Our project was highligted at the annual professional development gathering for the CYFAR project. Teen Opportunities • Adulting 101 - virtual series offered for 2nd year with UMaine 4-H Virtual Hub • Attending National 4-H Ignite! Summit, Maine Youth Action Network Teen Conference, 4-H Youth Council Conference, and 4-H Page Day at the Maine State House • Workshops on Creativity and Beating Procrastination offered at Maine 4-H Youth Council Conference How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through both formal and informal avenues. Community partners are communicated on an ongoing basis. The team is working on applied research to share best practices. Lewiston: • Submitted to UMaine Cooperative Extension and Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Counties annual reports, shared with Lewiston Housing, Lewiston 21st Century Program and Lewiston Public Schools, highlights shared through Instagram page Portland: Submitted to UMaine Cooperative Extension and Cumberland Counties annual reports, shared with Portland Housing Authority, "Portland Out of School Time" Working Network, highlights shared through Instagram page What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Lewiston: • 19 participants during school-year skill development and college/career readiness programming at Lewiston High school (20 sessions) and 4 participants at Lewiston Housing (10 sessions). 2 participants also attended SPIN sessions at the high school. • 12 participants during school-year SPIN Clubs • Community and Civic Engagement - After meeting a school board member, participants contacted them about concerns they had around upcoming changes to school policy regarding dress code. Participants felt heard and validated when their concerns were shared with the full school board by the member. • STEM - in partnership with the 21st CLC three teens visited Bates College's Bonney Science Center and, under the guidance of Professor Dr. Lori Banks, had hands on experience in the lab extracting proteins from virus samples. The opportunity offered participants the opportunity to tour a local college, experience a college laboratory, and connect with a woman of color about the experiences that led her to her role as an Assistant Professor of Biology. • STEM - The STEM focus was the most requested and ended up running twice as long. Teens met with a 4-H alum who is now a medical student at Dartmouth, an OR nurse, a local nursing program faculty member, a young woman working with a foundation focused on advocating for families with members experiencing rare disease, and from a local hospital's junior volunteer program for high school students. Three participants went through the program and volunteered throughout the summer. • 18 participants during Summer of Science 2023 (Teacher Preparation SPIN Club) with 3 College Interns • 18 Teen Teachers taught Environmental DNA focused activities to 412 youth ages 8 - 11 (secondary audience) • 1 participant and 1 project alum attended the 4-H Ignite! Summit in March 2023. The project alum co-designed and co- presented a session at the summit with 2 Maine 4-H staff. The session focused on building cultural compassion and equity in community-based work. • 6 participants during Adulting 101 - 6-week series offered through UMaine 4-H Virtual Hub during the summer. • 2 participants attended the Maine 4-H Teen Conference: Making Your Best Better. • 1 graduating participant was nominated for the University of Southern Maine Promise Scholar program by 4-H staff and was accepted into the program, providing them with a multi-year scholarship that covers 100% of their demonstrated need in regards to tuition, fees, housing, and meals, enabling them to graduate within minimal to no debt. The program includes a model of peer and staff relationships and support throughout their years of study, which has proved invaluable for first- generation college students. Portland: • 18 participants during school-year Clubs at Portland and Deering High Schools with focus on Medical Careers, Life Readiness/Workforce Development Skills. • Participants attended Family Fun Nights and STEM expos at Deering High School and Portland High School. Participants planned a field day at Riverton Park to share club information and recruit members, while offering a soccer and game event for neighborhood youth. • Summer of Science • 12 High Schoolers and 3 College Interns • College Interns helped train and supervise high school "teen teachers" who delivered weekly STEM sessions to elementary aged students across 8 Community Partner Sites. The educational theme was Environmental DNA and each week students led 1 activity over the course of 4 weeks. • 4-H Ignite! • 8 participants attended 4-H Ignite and worked on a community service action plan for a mental health awareness campaign within their school(s)
Publications
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Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience: Maine 4-H Community Central continued to reach young people in Lewiston and Portland Maine. Using the 4-H SPIN club model, teens participated in specialized clubs focused on teaching, social justice and civic engagement, STEM and Maine Food Systems. This year, all programming was able to be held in person. A virtual club was offered with minimal participation and pivoted for fully in person engagement and connection. A total of 81 teens (grades 9-12) participated in the program in 2021-2022. 13 participants also attended teen-focused conferences with CYFAR support: 4-H National Healthy Living Summit, 4-H True Leaders in Equity Institute, the Maine Youth Action Network teen conference, and the Maine 4-H Youth Council conference. Participants interacted with local leaders, community members and other key individuals throughout their club work. CYFAR teens engaged in experiential learning, strengthening workforce and college/career readiness skills, and completed service projects which enhanced their own communities and schools. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Teen Opportunities Adulting 101 - virtual series offered with UMaine 4-H Virtual Hub Attending National 4-H Healthy Living Summit, 4-H True Leader in Equity Institute, MYAN Teen Conference, and Maine 4-H Youth Council Conference. Creativity Workshop offered at Maine 4-H Youth Council Conference Professional Development Offered Can We Build It? Preparing Youth for Work - workshop sharing program design and best practices in eliminating barriers to program participation - CYFAR PD Event, May 2022 Creative Teambuilding and Youth Engagement workshop - MAE4HYDP, Nov. 2022 Exploring Wellness in Thoughtful and Creative Ways - co-led at UMaine Extension All Organization Conference, Nov. 2022 Community Central - Engaging Teens Where They Are: A Community Mentoring Approach to Workforce Development - UMaine Extension Workforce Development Program Leadership Team, Dec. 2022 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Program outcomes have been shared with communities of interest through the UMaine Cooperative Extension state-wide annual report, Androscoggin/Sagadahoc and Cumberland County Annual reporting, and shared with Community Partner Programs, including the Lewiston and Portland Public Schools, Lewiston and Portland Housing Authorities, and local working networks. Highlights are also shared through each site's Instagram page. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Increase participant numbers at Lewiston Housing Authority and Portland Housing Authority - participants design a recruitment event for their peers Explore future partnerships in communities served, with potential AmeriCorps member support
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Lewiston: 26 participants during school-year skill development and college/career readiness programming at Lewiston High school and Lewiston Housing Hillview Resource Center (31 sessions offered) 16 participants during school-year SPIN Clubs Community and Civic Engagement, STEM/Medical, ME Food Systems 24 sessions offered with 18 participants during Summer of Science 2022 (Teacher Preparation SPIN Club) 18 Teen Teachers taught Environmental DNA focused activities to 417 youth ages 8 - 11 (secondary audience) at 10 community partner sites, June - August 3 participants attended the 4-H National Healthy Living Summit and began a project focused on reducing food waste in supermarkets by September 2023 in Cumberland and Androscoggin Counties: Operation: 4-H Food Rescue 1 project alum hired as a Maine 4-H Summer of Science 2022 Intern - supporting Teen Teachers (see above) 8 participants during Adulting 101 - learning series offered through UMaine 4-H Virtual Hub 2 participants attended the Maine 4-H Teen Conference: Making Your Best Better 2 participants received $1000 scholarships for college from the Maine 4-H Foundation 4 participants volunteered at member recruitment table during P/T conferences Portland: 7 participants during school-year Clubs at two Portland Public High Schools Fall/Winter: Civic Engagement, 8 Portland High Students Winter/Spring: Health Science- 2 Teens Tabled 3 lunch time promo sessions at DHS to provide information about joining the club. Interacted with 50 + students. Tabled 1 internship fair at DHS where we showed a video of 4-H programs and events from previous year. Focused on promoting summer internship program. Summer of Science Health Science Club- 12 High Schoolers and 1 College Intern Designed and Implemented 2 Service Learning Projects Volunteered at Partners for World Health every Friday during the month of July and created social media posts to raise awareness of the organization's mission. Bi-weekly posts written by students will be made throughout Fall. Tabled three Community Block Parties where teens created and facilitated educational, interactive game for elementary aged attendees. Teens also shared 4-H opportunities with youth. Block parties were held at various Portland Housing Authority Locations including: Kennedy Park, Munjoy Hill, and Eben Hill Teen Teaching Club- 12 High Schoolers and 3 College Interns College Interns helped train and supervise high school "teen teachers" who delivered weekly STEM sessions to elementary aged students across 9 Community Partner Sites. The educational theme was Environmental DNA and each week students led 1 activity over the course of 4 weeks. Healthy Living Summit 4 High Schoolers from Deering and Portland High School Students identified inactivity and poverty as issues to address in their local community. Their project idea specifically aims to counter poverty as a barrier to equitable access to sports for youth in their neighborhoods. The solution designed by the teens aims to raise funds from local partners and supporters to provide enough equipment to host a free soccer clinic for elementary aged students from a Portland Housing Authority Site. Students identified existing partners who led a similar project called Kennedy Park Soccer Club. A team of 4 high schoolers went on to the True Leaders in Equity Retreat to further develop their project action plan.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/10/04/opinion/opinion-contributor/4-h-young-mainers-purpose/
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Ouellette, Kristy Lee PhD, "Understanding the Perspectives of First-Generation 4-H Members" (2021). Muskie School Dissertations. 9.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/muskie-dissertations/9
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for our efforts during this reporting period included youth ages 14-18 (high-school age) seeking workforce development skils. The secondary audience for our efforts during this reporting period included youth in grades 3-6 exploring science, technology, engineering, or math development in out-of-school time. The geographic target was the above audiences living in the greater Portland and the greater Lewiston-Auburn communities in southern Maine. Our primary community partner was the housing authority of these two metropolitan areas and the youth who reside there (plus the schools, libraries, youth centers, and after-school programs those youth attend). Changes/Problems:None this year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Maine 4-H CYFAR staff have cultivated professional development opportunites for teen participants and other youth development professionals. Teen Opportunities Adulting 101 - virtual series offered with UMaine 4-H Virtual Hub Attending National 4-H Healthy Living Summit in Washington D.C. Attending the Maine 4-H Youth Council Teen Conference, June 2022 Portland students attended the True Leaders in Equity Conference in Washington D.C. to create an equity action plan which they will implement in their community this fall. Maine CYFAR staff provided the following Professional Developmentopportunities for Maine 4-H Staff and to 4-H or CYFAR staff nationally. Project overview, best practices, and successes presentation to UMaine 4-H Program Leadership Team, October 2021 Workshop sharing program design and best practices in eliminating barriers to program participation offered at 2022 CYFAR Professional Development Event How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Lewiston CYFAR program has disseminated information through the following avenues. Shared with stakeholders through UMaine Cooperative Extension and Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Counties annual reports, shared with Lewiston Housing, Lewiston 21st Century Program and Lewiston Public Schools. Real time highlights are shared through Instagram page The Portland CYFAR program has disseminated information through the following avenues. Shared with stakeholders through UMaine Cooperative Extension and Cumberland Counties annual reports, shared with Portland Housing Authority, "Portland Out of School Time" Working Network (comprised of 50+ community programs that also provide extracurricular, educational activities for area youth). Real time highlights shared through Instagram page What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Maine 4-H Community Central is fully functional and has discovered high quality programmatic planning and delivery in a post covid world. For the following year we propose the following adaptations and programmatic explorations. Again, these are specific to each community as they are designed to best serve the community and youth. Lewiston: Expand program offerings at Lewiston Housing's Resource Center Recruit additional participants at Lewiston High for school year-long programming Engage program alumni as mentors to teens about to finish high school Explore potential collaborations/opportunities to share programming with wider audiences in Lewiston Portland: Continue reaching our secondary (elementary-middle school aged) audience through STEM programming at Portland Housing Authority Study Centers Recruit additional participants at Portland and Deering High Schools for school year-long programming Engage program alumni as mentors to teens who are about to finish high school Explore potential collaborations/opportunities between Community Central & Community Partners to create meaningful service learning/volunteer experiences for participants Continue to foster relationships with STEM professionals who have volunteered in the past as guest speakers at our Community Central Sessions with teens
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The following accomplishments are highlighted by each community. Although Maine 4-H Community Central programs are similar in context, the delivery is customized based on the needs of the youth and the community. Lewiston: 21 participants during school-year skill development and college/career readiness programming at Lewiston High school (24 sessions) 10 participants during school-year SPIN (Special, Purpose, Interest) Clubs Community and Civic Engagement Participants designed and distributed a social media and poster campaign raising awareness about New Beginnings, a program supporting homeless youth in Lewiston and Maine 18 participants during Summer of Science 2022 (Teacher Preparation SPIN Club) 18 Teen Teachers taught Environmental DNA focused activities to 417 youth ages 8 - 11 (secondary audience) 1 project alum hired as a Maine 4-H Summer of Science 2022 Intern - supporting Teen Teachers (see above) Maine Food Systems 3 participants attended the 4-H National Healthy Living Summit and are currently working with Operation: 4-H Food Rescue, a project focused on reducing food waste in supermarkets by September 2023 in Cumberland and Androscoggin Counties 8 participants during Adulting 101 - learning series offered through UMaine 4-H Virtual Hub 2 participants attended the Maine 4-H Teen Conference: Making Your Best Better 2 participants received $1000 scholarships for college from the Maine 4-H Foundation Portland: 7 participants during school-year Clubs at two Portland Public High Schools (14 SPIN sessions and 4 Interactive Promotional Events) Fall/Winter: Civic Engagement, 4 Portland High Students Winter/Spring: Health Science- 1 Thorton Academy (Saco), 1 Deering High, 1 Portland High Tabled 4 Club Fairs and interacted with 50 + students to promote 4-H programs: (2 at Portland High School & 2 at Deering High School) Health Science Club 12 High Schoolers and 1 College Intern Designed and Implemented 2 Service Learning Projects Volunteered at Partners for World Health every Friday during the month of July and created social media posts to raise awareness of the organization's mission. Bi-weekly posts written by students will be made throughout Fall. Tabled three Community Block Parties where teens created and facilitated educational, interactive game for elementary aged attendees. Teens also shared 4-H opportunities with youth. Block parties were held at various Portland Housing Authority Locations including: Kennedy Park, Munjoy Hill, and Eben Hill Teen Teaching 4-H Summer of Science 12 High Schoolers and 3 College Interns College Interns helped train and supervise high school "teen teachers" who delivered weekly STEM sessions to elementary aged students across 9 Community Partner Sites. The educational theme was Environmental DNA and each week students led 1 activity over the course of 4 weeks. Healthy Living Summit 4 High Schoolers from Deering and Portland High School Students identified inactivity and poverty as issues to address in their local community. Their project idea specifically aims to counter poverty as a barrier to equitable access to sports for youth in their neighborhoods. The solution designed by the teens aims to raise funds from local partners and supporters to provide enough equipment to host a free soccer clinic for elementary aged students from a Portland Housing Authority Site. Students identified existing partners who led a similar project called Kennedy Park Soccer Club. A team of 4 high schoolers went on to the True Leaders in Equity Retreat to further develop their project action plan.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for our efforts during this reporting period included youth ages 14-18(high-school age) seeking workforce development skils. The secondary audience for our efforts during this reporting period included youth in grades 3-6 exploring science, technology, engineering, or math development in out-of-school time. The geographic target was the above audiences living in the greater Portland and the greater Lewiston-Auburn communities in southern Maine. Our primary community partner wasthe housing authority of these two metropolitan areas and the youth who reside there (plus the schools, libraries, youth centers, and after-school programs those youth attend). Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major challenges in communications and program delivery. There have been very limited in-person activities (at public housing youth study centers). There has been fewer participants as planned due to technology limits and limited space. However, participation goals have been met and the project plans to meet the terms and conditions of the award. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A training was conducted for Public Housing Youth Study Center staff outlining our CYFAR project and the timeline for involvement. CYFAR staff conducted on on-line training for ten 4-H youth. The subject was how to use your career workforce skills Two CYFAR teens successfully completed the natonal 4-H True Leaders in Equity training in September 2020. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Reults of programming were shared during quarterly meetings with public housing partner. Public housing staff were updated on progress during their monthly staff meeting in January. Two CYFAR teens presented their Teens who are Experiencing Homelessness project to county 4-H Leaders Association to recruit 4-H clubs to help collect supplies. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Staff will deliver threeadditional learning series to enhance target teen audience on workforce development options (STEM/Health Careers, Food System Careers, Teaching Careers). Each series will be done twice (at each CYFAR site). Four groups of 4th graders will complete a 4-H STEM series (Rockets to the Rescue and Incredible Wearables). Staff will continue to adapt to pandemic limitations and work toward engaging youth in their 4-H club (with a goal of in-person meetings in the summer 2021).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Two 4-H learning series("SPIN Clubs") were implemented for teens who expressed interest in future careers in Civic Engagement related fields. The CYFAR-funded 4-H Professionals led small groups of teens (through digital remote learning) through six lessons which exposed the teens to potential careers in non-profit management, advocacy, law, government, and education. Eighteen teens were engaged in the series. CYFAR staff worked with Lewiston Housing to plan a lending library with resources for college preparation. Twenty-five remote learning kits were built and delivered to CYFAR high school students for them to focus on their workforce development projects at home. Ninety-five STEM Remote Learning Kits were produced for 3rd & 4th graders along with lesson plans and youth-produced videos to be used during the pandemic at Rowe Elementary School. Two CYFAR teens have initiated a project to increase inclusion of teens who are experiencing homelessness that will last through May 2021. One CYFAR staff created open digitaloffice hours for teens who no longer hadaccess to adult mentors because of the pandemic (and because the original plan for meeting in-person twice a month is delayed until post-COVID).
Publications
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:This was the planning year for our project. Our project conducted needs assessments and met with community partners and potential participants to assist in the roll out of the project, which is projected for Fall 2020. Changes/Problems:We have not been able to hire our 4-H professional for the Cumberland County site. We are waiting for University approval. The COVID 19 outbreak has significantly impacted our ability to work directly with youth. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We are working with community partners to create summer training and lesson plans for working with at risk youth. We have held workshops for community partners on social-emotional learning, creative problem solving and positive youth development. For teens we are creating trainings to help them learn skills to teach lessons online. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have worked with other national partners to hold discussions about teens as teachers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We hope to be able to program directly with youth.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This planning year allowed for the creation of a plan with resources to best support our teens and families. With the COVID-19 outbreak we have had to shift our planned program delivery methods to best serve both staff and families.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Klien, V., Mason, M., Ouellette, K., Sparks, S. (in review) Learning through Teaching: How Cross-Age Teaching Builds Socio-emotional, workforce and resiliency skills. Journal of Extension.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Ouellette, K., Mason, M. & Personette, L. (2019) Maine 4-H Community Central: Working with underserved youth in their communities. National Association of 4-H Agents Conference, West Sulpher Springs, WV.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Ouellette, K.& Mason, M. (2019) Teens as Teachers. National Association of 4-H Agents Conference, West
Sulpher Springs, WV.
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