Nurturing Latino Communities in the U.S.

from
the Ground Up: 4-H Youth Acquiring a Sense of
Pride and the Program Elements that Lead to
Sustained participation

Yolva Gil
Stephanie Barrett
Claudia Diaz
 California 4-H Statewide Goals
1) Increase 4-H membership to at
least 3% of the youth population
in California by 2025
2) Increase Latino youth
participation in the 4-H YDP to
at least 50% by 2025
3) Increase the number of 4-H
adult volunteers to support
growth and Latino adult
participation to at least 50% of
the total volunteers by 2025
 Riverside 4-H Program

4-H Community Club 4-H Overnight Camp

Program (year round) (summer)
Riverside 4-H Community Club
Program
Volunteer administrated
Youth led
Project-based, hands-on experiences
Service learning
Centered in communities
(neighborhoods, schools, etc.)
 Where and why we started?

UC CalFresh staff Community Settlement Riverside 4-H Staff

identify need Association
 First steps
Summer 2013 -Spring 2016
UC CalFresh Gardening programs/curriculum
For youth and parents in the community
UC CalFresh staff introduced 4-H Staff to Community
Settlement Association management
Management very welcoming to 4-H staff
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Created a Schedule of meetings and a list of possible projects
 Forming the club

Summer 2016
Eastside Eagles 4-H Afterschool Club
 First Club Project

Summer 2016
CSA Garden Improvement Project
End of the Summer Garden Showcase Event
Video
Elements for sustained participation
Caring adults Leadership
Safe environment Location accessibility
Youth engagement Volunteer
Skill building development
Routine/structure Resources (e.g.
Youth leadership Program Organizational Curriculum)
elements Infrastructure

Conceptual Community
Framework Partnerships
Belonging
Independence
Mastery Tap into the skills of
Generosity community members
 Fruits of our labor
Fall 2016
 Fruits of our Labor
Winter 2017
 Challenges
Getting the formalities
of club in place
(registration/charter)
Recruiting and
maintaining volunteers
Creating an authentic 4-
H club experience
 Positives
Youth experienced 4-H
Essential Elements
Sense of belonging
Leadership Skills
Exposure to community
service
 Thanks / Gracias

Yolva Gil and Stephanie Barrett Claudia P. Diaz Carrasco

4-H Youth Program Representatives 4-H Youth Development Advisor
Riverside County Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
ygil@ucanr.edu / slbarrett@ucanr.edu cpdiaz@ucanr.edu