By BRITTNEY KIMBER
Special to Atmore News
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – The numbers prove it. Alabama 4-H is helping members become healthy, caring and responsible young people in their homes and communities. With current enrollment at 161,937 with 3,346 clubs, the impact of 4-H is felt continually across the state.
“It is through the hard work of our agents and volunteers in the field that we can achieve great results each year,” said Molly Gregg, assistant director of Alabama 4-H.
Dedicated staff and volunteers provide supportive relationships to young people. These relationships empower them to feel valued, useful to their communities through service and action and culturally competent to work and live within a diverse community. Alabama 4-H sets boundaries and expectations through constructive use of time when youth are creating, learning and exploring the possibilities of a future with optimism and purpose.
Enrollment snapshot
4-H is in every Alabama county. It delivers in-school, after-school and enrichment programming in 742 schools, which is 50 percent of all Alabama schools. High school students make up 19,882 of 4-H participants.
Participants also come from all areas of the state.
* 6,114 reside on farms.
* 77,469 reside in towns with a population less than 10,000.
* 42,259 reside in towns with a population of 10,000 to 50,000.
* 14,259 reside in suburbs/cities.
* 21,112 reside in urban areas.
In addition, the 8,935 volunteers of Alabama 4-H contribute 165,700 service hours to programs, valued at $4.2 million.
The bottom line
“4-H’ers are four times more likely to give back to their communities and two times more likely to make healthier choices and participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math),” Gregg said. “With your help, 4-H will continue to empower thousands of young people and strengthen hundreds of communities across Alabama.”
Alabama 4-H is part of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and uses regional Extension agents as well as community volunteers, corporate partners, alumni and parents to deliver youth development programs.
Contact your county Extension office to learn about local opportunities or visit www.alabama4h.com for more information.
Brittney Kimber is an agent with Alabama Cooperative Extension System.