The recent earthquakes that devastated Haiti directly affected several Community Improvement Through Youth (CITY) Project Teen Leaders in Broome County. Four of the CITY Teen Leaders lost family members, have been unable to contact others, or still have relatives struggling to survive in the aftermath of the earthquake's destruction. Shortly after the earthquake hit, the CITY Teen Leaders knew they wanted to do something to help.
They decided to help by applying what they've learned in the CITY Project to planning a Haitian Relief Project. As one CITY Teen explained, "We're afraid that once some time goes by and Haiti isn't covered in the media as much that people will forget. So we want to do something to help and be involved long term."
Working closely with the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross in Endicott, the CITY Teen Leaders are spearheading a Haitian Relief Project in Broome County. The teens are meeting with Red Cross representatives to ensure that their ideas and planning are coordinated with recovery and reconstruction efforts. Local fundraising efforts similar to last year's successful CITY Ball, a community basketball tournament, are planned (see photo).
Vicki Giarratano is the CITY Project Director and Kelly Maybee is the CITY Project Coordinator, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Broome County. June P. Mead is the CITY Project Director and Program Evaluator. The CITY Project is a recipient of the 4-H Families Count: Annie E. Casey Family Strengthening Award and is a 4-H National Headquarters Program of Distinction.
The CITY Project is part of the Children, Youth and Families At-Risk (CYFAR) Program, Sustainable Community Projects (SCP). It is supported by Smith Lever funds, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For More Information
CITY Project website