The Franklin County 4-H Youth and Development Program currently facilitates a “Teen Club” with the purpose of developing the leaders of tomorrow through community service, team building, networking and educational opportunities. Franklin County currently has 15 teens participating in the club. At the beginning of the year, the club voted on different social, educational, and service opportunities that would become the theme of each monthly meeting. Examples of meetings include a kayaking trip, a cooking class to make dog treats for the local animal shelter, participating in “Reforest Frankfort”, etc. 

During the initial planning session, one teen mentioned that they would like to get involved with the local animal shelter. The Teen club leader reached out to Life House for Animals, a local shelter, and asked what the current needs of the shelter were. The shelter stated that their needs were resetting cages, animal socialization and dog treats. The club decided to split these needs into two different meetings: in March, the club met to make bunny-shaped dog treats since we would be visiting around Easter, and in April the teens delivered the treats to the shelter. After delivering the treats, the teens met the second half of the need by helping reset cages, socializing with the animals and restocking supplies. 

The target audience was teens from Sixth Grade to Senior Year. Seven students and their families participated in this event. All student participants were between Sixth Grade and Sophomore Year.  Members of Teen Club are leaders amongst their peers. These students have a goal to hold positions of leadership in their school systems and with 4-H, such as the State Teen Council. This club develops those necessary leadership skills. 

Teen Club was fortunate to be able to partner with Betty Martin and Life House for Animals in Frankfort, Kentucky. This shelter had a need and Teen club had plenty of hands ready to serve. Life House found many great uses for even our youngest participants. They were great partners and we hope to serve them and other shelters in the area again in the near future. 

Teen Club as a whole has had positive effects on those teens who have consistently participated, but this partnership with Life House for Animals was particularly impactful. Students were pleased to see their suggestions for meetings come to fruition, strengthening their leadership skills and desire for service. There was a lot of pride amongst the students in the fact that the treats that were delivered were made by them from scratch and there was a feeling of accomplishment in leaving having made a difference. This will be an annual event from this point forward and ideally will expand to surrounding shelters as well.