Success Story4-H National Mentoring Grant



4-H National Mentoring Grant

Author: Joe Maynard

Planning Unit: Martin County CES

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

Plan of Work: Better Living Through 4-H Programming

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Working in partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the 4 H National Mentoring Program supports the initiatives that assist in the development and maturity of community programs providing mentoring services to high-risk populations. The goal is to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy, and other problems and high-risk behaviors. The program objective is to provide direct one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, or peer-mentoring services to under-served youth populations.

Martin County has a lot of youth who fall into the high-risk population.  Data USA states that Martin County has a poverty level of 32.4%. Along with a high rate of poverty. This is well above the state and national averages.  Martin County has high rates of risky behavior such as smoking and opioid use. According to open data network, high school graduation rates are only 72.5% and college graduation is only 7.5%. With this in mind Martin County 4-H took advantage of the 4-H National Mentoring Program Grant to increase youth social competency, improve family relationships and increase academic success.

Our program has focused completely on life skills.  Only 1 of the 10 of our mentees have expressed plans to go to college at this point.  When learning about each mentee we thought the best thing we could give them was preparation for life after high school.  We have touched on wide ranging subjects from cooking to automobile maintenance. Our entire group also visited The Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, KY.  While there, everyone got the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful scenery and all were able to get lots of physical fitness while hiking.  Seven of the mentees had never been to a State Park.  

So far, the program has resulted in an initial impact.  We have renewed the grant for a 2nd year and look forward to many successes.






Stories by Joe Maynard


Lifetime Learning

about 5 years ago by Joe Maynard

Every year Martin County 4-H teams up with Resource Centers from our three Elementary Schools in the... Read More


Earth Week Continues to Grow

about 5 years ago by Joe Maynard

Plants are essential to the balance of nature and in peoples lives. Green plants, i.e., those posses... Read More


Stories by Martin County CES


Conquering Healthy Habits at Eden Elementary 3rd Grade

Conquering Healthy Habits at Eden Elementary 3rd Grade

about 5 years ago by Robin Thompson

Concurring Healthy Habits at Eden Elementary 3rd GradeAccording to 2016 data from the U.S. Census Bu... Read More


Lunch and Learn

Lunch and Learn

about 5 years ago by Sarah Congleton

Heart Healthy Lunch and Learn Program60% of Martin Countys population have been diagnosed with heart... Read More


Stories by 4-H Youth Development Programming


Environmental Camp

Environmental Camp

about 5 years ago by Susan Campbell

Environmental Camp has been a growing program in our county for a few years. The program began with ... Read More


Cloverbuds

Cloverbuds

about 5 years ago by Susan Campbell

The cloverbud program began in 2013 in Anderson County. The program has grown into 2 clubs now and w... Read More