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Addressing
Critical Issues Facing Youth
Michigan 4-H
Youth Development is committed to mobilizing communities and preparing
those who care about young people to meet the needs of youth. Research
shows that the greatest factor contributing to risk behavior of
young people is unsupervised or unstructured time - whether after
school between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m.; during weekends or during
summer and mid-year school breaks.
Michigan 4-H
Youth Development helps tackle the critical issues young people
face today by helping volunteers, professionals and parents help
kids negotiate opportunities and challenges and make positive decisions.
4-H offers several programs designed to prevent risk behavior, prepare
young people for responsible adulthood and build the skills they
need to negotiate a rapidly changing society.
Community
Service and Teen Leadership
Developing leadership
skills in young people can greatly affect their ability to make
positive decisions and avoid the pitfalls that could place them
at risk. These programs are designed to build leadership skills
in youth and help them use those skills to benefit their communities.
- Character
Education
A community-based approach to teaching young people six values
that transcend the divisions of politics, religion, race, gender
and social class: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,
caring and citizenship. Activities are available for young people
aged 4 to 19.
- 4-H
Community Service
Offers online resources for young people and the adults
who work with them in "lending their hands to larger service."
- Natural
Helpers
A peer-helping program used across the United States with middle
and high school students. The training workshops are designed
to strengthen communication and helping skills in young people.
It also prepares youth to provide support to others and service
to their schools and community. Michigan 4-H Youth Development
is a certified trainer for Natural Helpers programs.
Other
Resources
Links to other
sites that support educational programming in this subject area.
- City Year
A national service program that unites young adults aged 17 to
23 from diverse racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
for a demanding year of full-time community service, leadership
development and civic engagement.
- Corporation
for National Service
Created by Congress in 1993 to offer Americans of all ages and
backgrounds opportunities to strengthen their communities through
service.
- The
Giraffe Project
A K-12 program that teaches kids to “stand tall” by
showing courage, caring and responsibility. The site shares stories
of youth heroes and offers resources to help kids “stick
their neck out.”
- Kids Can Make a Difference
A site dedicated to inspiring kids to end hunger and poverty in
their communities, their country and their world. Targeted
at middle school and high school students, it offers resources
for young people about hunger and ways they can work to end hunger,
and provides a teacher’s or leader’s guide.
- Peace
Corps
Since this government-based volunteer program was started in 1961
by President John F. Kennedy, Peace Corps volunteers have been
fighting hunger, disease, illiteracy, poverty and lack of opportunity
in 84 countries around the world.
- Michigan Community Service Commission
The Michigan Community Service Commission is committed to helping
communities find their own creative solutions to local challenges.
The nonpartisan Commission supports and administers national and
community service programs across Michigan.
- SERVEnet
An online guide to the world of service and volunteering. Features
complete section on Youth Service America.
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Cultural
and Global Awareness
Technology continues
to break down barriers and borders worldwide. And resources to support
this global village continue to grow scarce. As society becomes
more globally linked, young people must be prepared to appreciate
and value both the differences and similarities of the world's people
and to share the world's limited resources. These learning materials
and opportunities are designed to help young people explore new
cultures; appreciate diversity and reserve, conserve and recycle
our limited resources.
- 4-H
China Project
A variety of learning opportunities for young people and the adults
and older teens who work with them to discover China - its people,
its traditions and its arts
- International
Exchange Programs
Michigan 4-H Youth Development offer many opportunities for youth
and families to participate in international programs as host
families or youth ambassadors in exchanges with Japan, Belize,
Poland, Norway and Germany, to name a few.
- Polish
4-H Connections
Learn more about programs and activities designed to build Polish
and American connections.
Other
Resources
Links to other
sites that support educational programming in this subject area.
- Peace
Corps Kids World
Kids World, which is the kid-oriented section of the Peace
Corps site, features stories and games for elementary and middle
school students. Traveler, the host of Kids World, helps
kids explore the globe and learn about making a difference.
- United
Nations CyberSchoolBus
Designed for students and those who work with young people featuring
projects and resources about the United Nations and the world
we share.
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Science
and Technology Literacy
Science and
technology are part of everyone's daily life, and young people need
a good understanding of and appreciation for the roles of science
and technology in their lives. To help them develop the skills they
will need as learners, consumers, employees and citizens, 4-H offers
opportunities for young people to explore science and understand
technology.
Other
Resources
Links to other
sites that support educational programming in this subject area.
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Violence
and Other Risk Prevention for Youth
By positively
affecting the communities and environments kids develop in and by
building their decision-making and conflict resolution skills, young
people can avoid many risk behaviors. These resources are designed
to increase young people's assets, both personal and environmental,
to help prevent at-risk behavior.
- Character
Education
A community-based approach to teaching young people six values
that transcend divisions of politics, religion, race, gender and
social class: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,
caring and citizenship. Activities are available for young people
aged 4 to 19.
- CYFERNet
A public information service on child, youth and family program
support that offers a variety of resources focused on youth violence
prevention.
- Natural
Helpers
This nationally-used peer-helping program strengthens communication
and helping skills in young people.
Other
Resources
Links to other
sites that support educational programming in this subject area.
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Workforce
Preparation
It's a fact
that the average worker entering the work force during the 2000s
will change careers six times. Young people today need to prepare
for the reality that their first real jobs or careers may not take
them to retirement. 4-H offers programs that help young people learn
to survive and thrive in the workplace, learn entreprenuerial skills
and focus on their futures.
- Character
Education
A community-based approach to teaching young people six values
that transcend divisions of politics, religion, race, gender and
social class: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,
caring and citizenship. Activities are available for young people
aged 4 to 19.
- WOW! Wild Over Work
Developmentally appropriate learning materials designed to help
volunteers introduce youth in grades K-6 to skills and behaviors
they'll need in the workforce of the future. It features hands-on
activities in career exploration and skill development. For a copy of this curriculum, contact Laura Allen, Career Education Coordinator, at lacourse@msu.edu.
Other
Resources
Links to other
sites that support educational programming in this subject area.
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Youth
Health and Wellness
Sound nutrition,
safety and fitness practices are critical for the health and wellness
of developing young people. 4-H offers a variety of programs that
promote the health, safety and positive physical development of
kids.
- 4-H
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
Teaches low-income young people the principles of nutrition, food
preparation, food safety and low-cost food selection.
- 4-H Proud Equestrians Program (PEP)
With the help of trained and caring volunteers, kids can discover
their abilities instead of their disabilities through the 4-H
Horseback Riding for Handicappers program.
- Team Nutrition
A nationwide program to improve the health of children through
nutrition education. It includes many resources and activity ideas.
Other
Resources
Links to other
sites that support educational programming in this subject area.
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Learning
Materials
More information on learning
materials available to support these activities can be found in the Michigan
Guide to 4-H or through the MSU
Bulletin Office.
Contact
Information
For more information on
how to get involved as a youth
or volunteer,
contact your county MSU Extension
office or:
4-H Youth
Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
USA
Phone: 517-432-7575
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: msue4h@msu.edu
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Copyright
© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Michigan State University
Last Updated: October 3, 2007
Last Reviewed:
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Guide
to Michigan 4-H
