York County Press Release
YORK – There is a national campaign underway, called the Beyond Ready Initiative, to expand the reach of the 4-H program.
This past week, York County Extension Educator Tanya Crawford met with the county commissioners to discuss this initiative, “to help build the next generation. We are always working to prepare youth for work and for life. A national study was conducted which shows we have the largest generation, now, of at-risk youth. The road ahead is challenging but 4-Hers are succeeding as leaders, in community service, etc.”
Crawford said the study showed how 30% of youth are chronically absent from school, as well as “alarming levels of negativity about themselves and the future. This is why kids need 4-H even more; the schools can’t do it alone. We are positioned for this as 4-H gives kids real-world skills and worth. This is where we can play a huge role.”
4-H serves one in three kids in Nebraska right now. The new goal is one in two.
4-H has been proven to enhance kids’ lives and preparation for the future. “Our concern is to reach the ones who haven’t been reached, and those are kids who really need 4-H,” Crawford said.
Why will Nebraska 4-H make a difference? Nebraska Extension notes, “4-H is present in all 93 counties. 4-H programs are supported in Nebraska by more than 6,000 adult volunteers. 4-H programs are delivered in many settings, including clubs, afterschool programs, virtual platforms and more. And the impact of 4-H has been proven through longitudinal youth development research.
“And data shows how compared to their peers, kids in 4-H are two times more likely to have the goals of being a leader; three times more likely to participate in community service; and two times more likely to report living life with intentionality and purpose.”
“We need to prepare young people for the skills and abilities to be ready for work and life,” Crawford said. “Eighty-five percent of the jobs which will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet. Seventy-seven percent of employers say we should focus less on traditional school subjects and more on real world skills, like analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and adaptability.
“Here in York County, in the past year, 4-H has increased its reach from 53% to 82% of the youth in the county, reaching the state vision to serve one in two youth in the county,” Crawford said, noting in York County, 1,551 youth were reached through 11 school enrichment programs offered; 238 youth attended 4-H summer workshops; and 291 youth enrolled and participated in traditional 4-H.”
There are 15 very active 4-H clubs in York County, some of them being very large with high membership numbers.
“We are always looking for volunteers, and there are a lot of ways to partner to support 4-H,” Crawford continued. “We are proud of what we are doing so far. It’s really important we’re working with our kids because they are our future. We are giving them skills and we hope people see the value in that.”
