Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:This project is vital for supporting youth in Northwest Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota, helping them access mentorship, and develop skills for academic and career success. By fostering belonging and workforce readiness, we empower youth to bridge opportunity gaps and contribute to their communities. We are reaching audiences by collaborating with community partners andsharing best practices and implemeting 4-H programs where families live. Changes/Problems:This project has not encountered any major changes or problems in ourapproaches to programming. One delay we have encounteredwas as a result of transitions with our local partners leading toour building year stretchinginto year 2. With program sites delaying programming,we've had limited opportunities to collect data towards our stated outcomes and we shifted some expendatures towards the end of program year 2. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Six University of Minnesota and NDSU Extension Staff and community partners participated in the CYFAR Professional Development 2-day event in Louisville, KY. Key takeaways from that training will be shared with staff and community partners at all sites As a team, we participate in guided project planning processes and share best practices with each other to further knowledge and skills that support the success of these partnerships and programs. 4-H staff provides individual coaching for community partner staff to ensure high quality programs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Program reports are regularly shared withcommunity partners and stakeholders. One of the New Hope youth-led projects was featured inthe University of Minnestsota Extension Source Magazine: https://extension.umn.edu/source-magazine/4-hers-pledge-their-hands-larger-service As programming continues in year 3-5 we anticipatemore opportunities to share results and impacts of our programming. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Youth will identify an interest or skill that fosters engagement and motivation for learning. Youth input will guide the selection of topics and skills addressed during weekly club meetings. The 4-H experiential learning model will be used to support hands-on learning, critical reflection, and practical application. Youth workers will receive training in youth voice facilitation, program design, and 4-H curriculum delivery. Implementation will occur across all club sites. Objective 2: Youth will demonstrate growth in critical thinking and decision-making skills that support academic, personal, and career development. Youth will participate in showcase events to reflect on their learning and present their work. Showcase events will engage 4-H staff, industry professionals, and postsecondary representatives to foster connections and mentorship. Youth will also participate in skill-based learning opportunities on college and university campuses. Objective 3: The program will foster supportive relationships and positive engagement among families and youth, contributing to a greater sense of connection and long-term motivation. Parents and caregivers will be invited to participate in youth showcases and celebrations of learning. In consultation with family development experts, a family-focused program will be developed and prepared for implementation in Year 4.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Community Connect Center - Moorhead, MN site Teens on campus program brought youth onto Minnesota State University Moorhead campus for a 4 day immersive program in June 2024. Youth met for 6 hours each day. They explored the connection between leadership, role models and planning for their future facilitated by mentors from the community. Each day, participants engaged with MSUM college students to learn about their career and educational journeys. They were exposed to an inside view of life on campus through meals at the dining center, tours of living facilities, and access to learning classrooms. In the words of the participants, they learned: Leadership; I matter; Believe in yourself; How to speak u; Confidence, Being a leader; Helping friends; Mindset for success A workshop was developed to engage and support program partners in how to "Start a 4-H club". The workshop was delivered November 23, 2024 with attendance from 10 adults from 5 local organizations. Impacts directly related to the workshop were 2 new partnerships for Moorhead site that brought in participation from 30 youth. 4-H Club sites engaged youth in engineering design, team building, and environmental science at weekly clubs meetings from February 2025 through summer. Parent meetings were hosted to discuss the process and effectiveness of the 4-H model. Twelve middle school youth increased their skills in scientific inquiry through an afterschool 4-H Science Club at Moorhead Horizon School that began January 2025. Evaluation results show that 100% of participants were able to observe and make predictions and test their predictions by the end of the 8 week program. New Hope - East Grand Forks, MN site The New Hope 4-H group meets 1-2 times per month and gives youth voice to identify their interests through a program planning processand provides opportunities for hands on project learning. The New Hope 4-H program has made significant strides in integrating into the community. For example, one project that was funded by the Minnesota 4-H Helping Hands grant worked withyoung people who contributed to easing the transition for new community members. Youth assembled home safety kits containing essential items like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, along with basic household necessities. This project not only provided practical support but also fostered a sense of community and belonging. The New Hope 4-H program has successfully integrated technology into STEM programming, providing young people with hands-on learning experiences. Utilizing ipads, participants have programmed Sphero BOLT robots, engaging in coding activities that challenge them to navigate the robots through mazes. This innovative approach not only enhances their technical skills but also fosters critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork. North Dakota site NDSU partners with the Community Connect Centerto engage Engineering college students who teach math to youth at the afterschool programming site.
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Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience is Somali youth, families, and community members. This reporting period represents the first 6 monthsgrant, during which we had community partner meetings and worked on setting up the grant financials and IRB requirements. We have developed an evaluation plan and begun to have new partnership meetings with local schools. AADA, Ka Joog, and New Hope for Immigrants partner with 4-H on program design and delivery. We are now working to build partnership with schools as a delivery site and place to engaged new families without transportation barriers. Local teams have had meeting with school partners to set up plans for delivery in the fall. Changes/Problems:The project director from the NDSU left her position at Extension, so we have interim team member while this individual is replaced. This positioned has been filled. Ka Joog hired a new program staff member, so we are working to train this new youthworker and build a trusting relationship. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Team kick-off meeting in November Monthly check in meetings. PI has delivered youth worker trainings on program model focusing on educationalpathways. In-person program planning meeting occured in May. Partners, NDSU and UMN staff gathered for relationship-building andprogram planning. UMN, NDSU, and Ka Joog team members attended the CYFAR professional development technical assistance event. UMN and Ka Joog presented on program model and partnership . How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are developing, user-friendly evaluation tools for program staff to easily collect data--telling us whether or not we have met our goals. Scaled program implemenation is scheduled to start in October at Moorhead, Fargo, and East Grand Forks.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As a team we have made a program plan to acheive our goals. We have begun to set up the systems to implement programs at school and community sites. We have identified and created curricular resources. We have also create a job description for a new staff (supported by cyfar funding) who will take leadership on the delivery and sustainability of these programs. The East Grand Forks team pilotedthe STEAM club model. 4-H Campus Immersion programs served 50 youth in Northeast MN, Northwest, MN, and Central, MN. Young people created digital portfolios during this time sharing their personal plan for postsecondary education. They reported feeling more excited about their futures and and have gained new resources and skills that will help them be successful in postseconday and career pursuits.
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