Author: Mary S Averbeck
Planning Unit: Kenton County CES
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Plan of Work: Adult Leadership Development
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
There is high demand from the public for sewing instruction for youth and adults in the Northern Kentucky area. Certified master sewing volunteers meet this need. These volunteers are supervised by a Kenton County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development. The master sewing volunteers teach workshops for youth and adults in beginning, intermediate and advanced clothing construction techniques, quilting, crafting, machine embroidery and creating fashion accessories. This year 16 area master clothing volunteers report volunteering 2846 hours in teaching and community service. Based on the value of $24.69 per hour for 2017(according to Independent Sector, US. average), the collective volunteer time has a value of $70,267.74. Most schools no longer teach sewing. The cost of taking sewing instruction from retail centers is cost prohibitive for many citizens as sewing instructors in the local area charge $25 per hour. At this rate the master clothing volunteers saved residents over $71,000. So the value of the volunteers’ contributions to the community exceeds $140,000.00 this year. The volunteers reached 3182 people in the name of the Cooperative Extension Service in Northern Kentucky. Evaluation was formal or informal. Skill achievement sheets were kept for youth learning to sew and completed projects were an indicator of success for both youth and adults. Youth also wrote achievement stories about their projects. Many volunteers led sewing projects in other venues like churches and schools. Some created quilts for foster youth or cancer pillows for adults. One volunteer led a classroom of 28 youth in creating individual quilts. Not only did the individuals learning to sew benefit from increased self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment, but the greater community was culturally enriched as well.
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