Program Director, Amy Sammons, of Mentoring Plus located in Newport Kentucky, reached out to Campbell County Extension Horticulture agent for resources. After initial meetings and conversations, an organic partnership blossomed, and plans were drafted to implement a youth program for at risk youth in the urban sector of the county. Campbell County program areas of 4-H youth development, horticulture, family consumer science, and SNAP-Education, quickly teamed up to form a team and developed a plan that would provide programming and resources for the youth.  

             Each program met with Amy and strategized the needs and wants for the youth that also met the mission of Mentoring Plus which is to empower disadvantaged youth and their families to fulfill their potential and to contribute to the well-being of community by forming relationships based on mutual trust, compassion, and respect (site: https://mentoringplus.org/who-we-are/).  

     Campbell County Extension has developed a cross disciplinary program which will include topics and activities such as: hydroponics, small space gardening, music therapy, healthy cooking options, and yoga. The first group of kids will include 5 youth. Extension has already purchased a tower garden hydroponics system which will include topics on environmental science, engineering, biology, and teamwork. The youth have already formulated ideas and gained inspiration to renovate an outdoor space into a small space gardening outdoor classroom. Ultimately this is a platform program that will continue for youth summer programming and after school programming. As a result, Campbell County Extension hopes that these programs with empower the youth and their families and more youth will join this program.