Open AccessEmpowering Teens to Make a Difference in Their At-Risk Community
Author(s) -
Lisa Rothenburger,
Alayne Torretta
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of extension
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1077-5315
pISSN - 0022-0140
DOI - 10.34068/joe.59.02.17
Subject(s) - club , general partnership , affect (linguistics) , perspective (graphical) , public relations , community health , service (business) , service provider , psychology , sociology , medical education , nursing , business , medicine , political science , marketing , computer science , public health , anatomy , communication , finance , artificial intelligence
When identifying problems and creating solutions that support the community culture of health, youths provide a unique perspective. This article describes how staff from Somerset County, NJ 4-H partnered with staff from Middle Earth, an at-risk youth service provider, to organize a group of teens who identified and implemented projects that affect the health and wellness of their community of Bound Brook, NJ. Extension professionals can replicate a sustainable and synergistic youth-adult partnership by creating the opportunities, making the initial connections within the community, and following the 4-H club model to ensure teens experience the essential elements.