Author: Charles Stamper
Planning Unit: Administration - Cooperative Extension Service
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
During the 2019 Program Year, the Kentucky 4-H Program wanted to enhance the service being done by 4-Hers in the Commonwealth. Our goal was to bring the KY 4-H Program in line with the new National 4-H Civic Engagement model. The new model of civic engagement was used during two major events, 4-H True Leaders in Service month & 4-H Teen Conference. During these two events, over 700 youth completed 1400 hours of service to communities in the Commonwealth. According to the Independent Sector (2019), each hour of volunteerism is worth $24.69. In essence, just these two events gave back an estimated $34,000 to local communities. Service also allows our 4-Hers to prepare for the education system and workforce by enhancing decision-making, ethics, and communication skills. Program Year 2020 will be the first year the new 4-H Civic Engagement model will go statewide.