The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) Urban 4-H Programs Task Force recently announced that New York's CYFAR Sustainable Communities Project, the Community Improvement Through Youth (CITY) Project was selected for the 2007 NAE4-HA Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs. The CITY Project received recognition of this honor at the 2007 NAE4-HA Annual Conference in Atlanta.
The CITY Project, a project of the Department of Human Development, College of Human Ecology, is part of the CYFAR Program's Sustainable Community Projects. It is supported by Smith Lever funds from CSREES/USDA. In Broome County, CCE project staff have partnered with the Broome County Urban League and Binghamton Housing Authority, Broome County Gang Prevention Program. In New York City, CCE staff are partnered with Henry Street Settlement, Manhattan, and the Police Athletic League Wynn Center, Brooklyn.
This is a special honor for the CITY Project as it represents the second consecutive year that a New York CYFAR/CCE project has received this designation. Last year the CYFAR Youth Voices Project received the same honor at the NAE4-HA Conference in Milwaukee, WI. The current Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs lists the successfully completed Youth Voices Project. Once updated, the Directory will also list the CITY Project. The NAE4-HA Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs can be found at: http://www.colorado4h.org/urbanprogram/
The CITY Project uses CCE's 4-H Signature Program, Youth Community Action (YCA) as a model for promoting civic engagement, workforce preparation, and asset development among youth (13-18 years old). Using Public Adventures: An Active Citizenship Curriculum for Youth and a broad-based community collaboration approach, the CITY Project is working to empower at-risk youth to become community change agents. Community collaborations have resulted in numerous community projects. Here are some recent examples:
- "Did Ya Know" interactive theater to help make the community more aware of the risk-taking behaviors affecting today's young people. Videotaped by CITY Teen Leaders with collaboration and support from the City of Binghamton Youth Bureau Media Center.
- Construction Academy supported by the Southern Tier Home Builders and Remodelers Association, Conklin Flood/Disaster Relief Project, and Broome Community College.
- Horticulture Camp lead by Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County's Master Horticulturist.
- "First Ever Affordable Fashion Show" to highlight the impact of media on teen shopping behaviors. Sponsors for the fashion show include American Eagle Outfitters, Kohl's, Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, Payless Shoe Stores, and Urban Outfitters in New York City.
- "Hey, 'ma' how are you doing?" a community forum on verbal and street harassment supported by the New York City Police Athletic League, Wynn Center, Brooklyn.
Congratulations to the CITY Project Team, Kay Telfer, Vicki Giarratano, and Kelly Mabee, Broome County CCE, Jackie Davis-Manigaulte and Jamila Simon, New York City CCE, and Celeste Carmichael, State 4-H Youth Development, for their extraordinary commitment to making the CITY Project a success! And special congratulations to all the wonderful young people in the CITY Project--the CITY Teen Leaders in Broome and New York City. Their efforts and dedication to improving their communities are what has made the CITY Project a "Successful Urban 4-H Program"!
CITY Project Team
Cornell University
- June P. Mead, Project Director and Evaluator, Department of Human Development
- Steve Goggin, Principal Investigator, Department of Human Development
- Celeste Carmichael, Technology Coordinator, State 4-H Youth Development Office
Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County
- Kay C. Telfer, Community Project Director
- Vicki Giarratano, CITY Project Coordinator
- Kelly Mabee, Summer Employment Coordinator
Cornell Cooperative Extension New York City
- Jackie Davis-Manigaulte, Community Project Director
- Jamila Simon, Community Project Coordinator
For Further Information
The CITY Project featured in the "CYFAR Program Spotlight" on CYFERnet: http://www.cyfernet.org/state_spotlight/10-07.html
CITY Project website: http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu/city/