IT’s Your Reality 2018-19

         31.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Knott County, KY (4,784 out of 15,153 people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 14%.   In 2016, the median household income of the 6,064 households in Knott County, KY declined to $28,165 from the previous year's value of $30,411.  

         To address these issues local 4H in a collaborative effort with all FYRSC, classroom teachers, and the KCC Beta club volunteers provided the “It’s Your Reality”extension program.  This program is highly successful in increasing awareness of cost of living, importance of educational attainment, importance of high school graduation, the relation of these to employment opportunities and the importance of waiting to have children; all factors that would improve the factors of local poverty rates.
          Working with all six elementary schools the students were prepped with budgeting lessons, given a job based on their current GPA, and taught checking account basics in various classes before attending the program.

The youth participants reported the following results: 

100% Practiced responsible consumer and financial decision making

100% Utilized the decision-making process

100% Practiced life skills
90% realized how their current grades in school could affect their future salary
85% acknowledge the importance of a budget
90% better understand the cost of maintaining a household

98% grasp the higher living cost when raising a child
95% recognize how their career choice impacts their everyday spending habits

93% associate the importance of staying in school with success in life

90% state the importance of continuing education after high school

         The 43 volunteers who provided the youth with this educational opportunity contributed in kind $5,461.86 of volunteer work hours, according to independentsector.org, current rates.   These volunteers and collaborative effort of the Knott Co Board of Ed for transportation, FYRSC, Knott Co 4H, and the classroom teachers made this event possible for our youth.