Getting Involved

1
Getting Involved

• Helping Youth Succeed
• Penn State is committed to affirmative action,
  equal opportunity,
• and the diversity of its workforce.
• Program developed by Christy Kohler, December,
  2000.

2
Cooperative Extensions Vision

• Envisions communities where children and youth
  lead positive, secure, and happy young lives
  while developing the skills, knowledge, and
  competencies necessary for fulfilling,
  contributing adult lives
• Committed to a future where all children and
  youth live in families and communities which
  promote their positive development.

3
4-H Youth Program

• Vision
• 4-H is a world leader in developing youths
  ability to become productive citizens and
  catalysts for positive change to meet the needs
  of a diverse and changing society.
• Mission
• To create supportive environments in which
  culturally diverse youth and adults can reach
  their fullest potential.

4
Attributes of Effective Programs

• Community-based, holistic philosophy
• Partnerships with citizens
• Address complex conditions
• Solicit and value diversity
• Collaboration
• Coherent spectrum of services
• Accessible and respectful of people
• Bolster Resiliency

5
Benefits of Adult Support for Youth

• Positive, nurturing, ongoing relationships with
  caring adult help youth achieve potential
• Safe, non-threatening environment encourages
  growth
• Constructive activities support and encourage
  cognitive, physical, social, cultural and
  emotional development

6
Why adult support is needed

• 62 of school age children have working parents
• 80 of waking hours are spent out of school
• Children spending 20-35 hours per week in
  constructive learning activities are more likely
  to succeed in school, are happier, and are better
  adjusted.

7
Program Benefits to the Community

• Decrease in crime and poverty
• Decrease in substance abuse
• Increase in services and programs for young
  people
• Decrease in the incidence of hate crimes and
  discrimination

8
Desired Program Outcomes

• Communities will provide safe, secure
  environments for families with children.
• Families will promote positive, productive, and
  contributing lives for all family members.
• Parents will take primary responsibility for
  meeting their childrens physical, social,
  emotional, and intellectual needs and provide
  moral guidance and direction.

9
Desired Program Outcomes (cont.)

• Youth will demonstrate knowledge, skills
  attitudes, and behavior necessary for fulfilling,
  contributing lives.
• Children will have their basic physical, social,
  emotional, and intellectual needs met. Babies
  will be born healthy.

10
Links to Kiwanis

• Young Children Priority One
• Vision We will be the worlds premier
  organization engaging adult and youth volunteers
  to improve the quality of life worldwide.
• Mission We are dedicated to serving the children
  of the world and improving the quality of life
  worldwide.

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Links to Lions Clubs

• Betterment of communities
• Motto We serve
• Programs
• The Lions Quest-Skills for Growing and Skills for
  Adolesence
• Literacy programs, career nights, and vocational
  training
• Build playgrounds, sponsor sports teams, etc.

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Links to Rotary Clubs

• Objective Opportunity for service
• Vocational Service
• Career guidance in high schools
• Vocational awareness
• Community Service
• Improve quality of community life
• Promote literacy, help elderly or disabled,
  combat violence, provide opportunities for youth

13
Links to Retired Senior Volunteer Program

• Place persons in meaningful volunteer
  opportunities
• Can recruit volunteers for weekly, monthly, short
  term or long term assignments
• Volunteers identify their personal interest areas
  for volunteering

14
Links to National PTA

• Mission
• To support and speak on behalf of children and
  youth in the schools, community, and before
  governmental bodies and other organizaiton that
  make decisions affecting children
• To assist parents in developing the skills they
  need to raise and protect their children
• To encourage parent and public involvement in the
  public schools

15
Links to General Federation of Womens Clubs

• Mission Dedicated to community improvement by
  enhancing the lives of others through volunteer
  service
• Advocates for Children Program emphasis on
  safety, parenting, counseling, legislation,
  education, advocacy and violence.

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Specific Roles You Can Play
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Expectations of Volunteer
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Expectations of Cooperative Extension

• Provide educational workshops and training
  opportunities
• Provide information on the volunteers role and
  the organization
• Provide assistance and support
• Recognize the volunteers
• Assist volunteers in carrying out affirmative
  action policies

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How You Can Get Involved