As high school seniors approach graduation, they are also approaching a shift in independence as they move into adulthood. Self-reliance and self-sufficiency are important as young adults begin to navigate the world around them.  Providing them with lessons in basic life skills can give young people confidence in their newfound independence whether they plan to go away to college or enter the workforce. The Shelby County 4-H Agent and the Shelby County High School Youth Service Center (YSC) Coordinator partnered to offer an Adulting Workshop for high school seniors to offer basic life skills. Instructors included Extension volunteers, elected officials, law enforcement officers, and local community professionals.

Volunteers were identified to teach basic sewing skills, cooking basics, simple automotive care, important financial principles including budgeting, credit and loans, information on voting and registering to vote, and information on what to do in case of an auto accident or if you are pulled over by law enforcement.  Eighty-five high school seniors participated in the workshops. During their time at the Extension Office, all the youth were able to practice sewing on a button and putting in a simple hem under the guidance of Master Sewing Volunteers.  The high school seniors practiced food safety principles as they made vegetable quesadillas under the guidance of the Extension volunteers.  The youth were shown how to check the fluids in a car, change a tire and basic preventive maintenance.  Local bank representatives discussed budgeting, credit and loans with the high schoolers and had them complete a personal budget.  The Shelby County Clerk explained voting procedures and gave participants voter registration cards.  Finally, a Kentucky State Trooper explained steps to take if they were involved in an accident, what to do in a traffic stop and the consequences of impaired driving.   The youth were attentive and engaged throughout the day. 

A pre and post program survey was conducted, and the results are listed below.

• The greatest increase in new knowledge occurred in the sewing workshop where 96% of participants reported they increased their knowledge and their skill level in sewing a button and a hem.
• Pre survey results showed 70% of participants stated they had little to no knowledge of how to change a tire or check oil pressure.  Post survey results showed 80% of participants learned how to change a tire and how to check tire pressure.   Additionally, 87% of participants reported increasing their knowledge about checking a car’s oil levels.
•  Pre survey results showed that the majority of students (93%) felt they already knew a lot about managing their money.  Post survey results showed that 24% learned a little more than they knew, while 69% of participants reported learning a lot more than they previously knew. 
•   After the kitchen workshop, 76% of participants reported an increase in knowledge about food safety.
•  In the pre-survey, only 9% of students reported not being familiar with how to handle themselves in a police traffic stop. The remainder reported that they had a moderate to high level of knowledge on the subject. Post survey results show that 90% of students increased their knowledge about how to handle a traffic stop.  
•  Thirty participants who were not already registered to vote, submitted their voter registration application at the event.
• 100% of the participants reported that they learned at least one valuable life skill that will help them be more successful as an adult.