Many Latino youth in Kentucky face significant educational challenges due to the immigrant and socioeconomic status of their parents. According to the National Research Council's report, “Hispanics and the Future of America,” many Latino children start school without the same social and economic resources as their peers. Inadequate school resources and low trust between students and staff exacerbate these disadvantages. The need to support and build community for these young people is evident across the state.

 Kentucky has the 7th fastest-growing Latino community in the country, with a 222.8% increase in the school-aged population from 2000-2014. According to Kentucky Youth Advocates, only one in five Latino fourth graders are at grade level in reading and math, and only 25% of Latino adults over the age of 25 have a degree higher than a high school diploma. Despite the Latino community's strong belief in the importance of education for a successful future, many face barriers that prevent them from achieving this goal.

In response to the growing number of Latino youth and the need to support their educational journey, Kentucky 4-H implemented the Juntos 4-H Program. This wraparound program engages the youth's support system to build capacity within the community through family workshops, Juntos 4-H Clubs, community nights, and a State Juntos 4-H Academy.

 After a successful and impactful experience in 2023-24 with the 4-H Juntos Program, Daviess County offered the newly rebranded Adelante 4-H Program during the 2024-25 school year.  Adelante means forward in Spanish.  Daviess County is fortunate to have strong advocates for the Adelante 4-H program in Owensboro Public Schools, Daviess County Public Schools, and the community.  Two condensed family engagement nights were offered.  Attendance nearly doubled from last year with 34 people attending each night.   The sessions were led by led by Spanish speaking volunteers from Daviess County public schools.

 A two-day, one night Adelante 4-H Summer Academy was held on University of Kentucky campus in May.  Eighteen students, two chaperones, and one 4-H agent attended.   Participants were able to take a campus tour, visit the Latino Student Union, attend a session with the Gatton College of Business, engaged with a representative from Financial Aid, and participate in a community service project.  Three students met with a UK ROTC representative.  During the evening session, students took part in a True Colors temperament and personality typing program which helps participants understand and recognize differences that can lead to miscommunication and conflict.

 After participating in Adelante 4-H Summer Academy 93% of the young people indicated they would be more likely to attend a college or university following graduation.  93% also indicated they learned something new about themselves from the True Colors program.  One young person stated the most valuable part of the experience was “to leave home and stay in the dorms and have the experience of a real college student”.

References:

Kentucky Youth Advocates. (2024, January 10). While Improving, Kentucky Children of Color Still Face Disparate Outcomes that Jeopardize Their Well-Being into Adulthood. Retrieved from Kentucky Youth Advocates.

National Research Council. (2006). Hispanics and the Future of America. National Academies Press. Retrieved from National Academies Press.

Excelencia in Education. (n.d.). Kentucky. Retrieved from Excelencia in Education.