Success Story4-H It's Your Reality Financial Literacy



4-H It's Your Reality Financial Literacy

Author: Dora Centers

Planning Unit: Knott County CES

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Plan of Work: Healthy Families and Communities

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

In a collaborative effort, Knott County 4-H, Knott Co Board of Education, KCCHS, Beaver, Carr Creek, Cordia, Emmalena, Hindman, and Jones Fork Elementary schools through their Family Youth Resource Service Coordinators participated in University of Kentucky’s 2022-23“It’s Your Reality” program.  The program focus is financial literacy and life skills Knott County’s 8th grade students participate annually in the event.  

Our Teen volunteers are essential to the program’s success.  34 KCCHS teen volunteers contributed a combined total of 238 volunteer hours.  According to the 2020 national volunteer rate for Kentucky, this totals $5,948 in-kind contribution to the program. Other adult community volunteers provided support, as well, for a successful learning opportunity.

Results showed overall positive impact of knowledge gained: 

Percentage of youth who indicated an excellent understanding of the concepts after participating in UK – “It’s Your Reality” program:

  • Budgeting money 89
  • Making wise financial choices 93
  • Understanding the effect school performance & career choice on future lifestyle 95
  • Cost of maintaining a household 86
  • Cost of raising a child 90
  • How the amount of income will affect lifestyle habits and purchasing ability 89
  • The importance of saving for future economic goals 82

Percentage of youth who indicated a poor understanding of the concepts after participating in UK- “It’s Your Reality” program:

  • Budgeting money 3
  • Making wise financial choices 5
  • Understanding the effect school performance & career choice on future lifestyle 2
  • Cost of maintaining a household 6
  • Cost of raising a child 3
  • How the amount of income will affect lifestyle habits and purchasing ability 3
  • The importance of saving for future economic goals 3





Stories by Dora Centers


First Horse Club in the County

about 4 years ago by Dora Centers

This past year Knott Co 4H dove into a horse club with an amazing volunteer, who completed the ce... Read More


Nutrition education utilizing the WIN curriculum

about 4 years ago by Dora Centers

Nutrition education utilizing the WIN curriculum Childhood obesity is a serious epidemic across th... Read More


Stories by Knott County CES


Sucessful Gardening for limited space and resources

about 4 years ago by Chadwick Conway

Many families today enjoy fresh local food, but dont have the time, space, and resources to grow a t... Read More


Community develops plans to expands local foods through national grant

about 4 years ago by Chadwick Conway

Knott county is like many other communities in Appalachia who have seen a large growth in the local ... Read More