I ended the year reviewing accomplishments and setting goals as part of my gym’s social media contest. The process reminded me of what I most loved about fitness and belonging to this group in particular. It also helped me focus on celebrating moments that were special to me. 2025 marks five years of Youth-Adult Partnership […]
When I Asked About Belonging Recently, WI 4-H collected survey data on statewide programming needs. At the beginning of summer, the collected responses were shared. They were categorized in content areas such as STEAM, Mental Health, Cultural. Based on my own local programming experience in the community, this was not surprising. It was common for […]
Tell Me a Story. . . “I find that most people know what a story is until they sit down to write one.” –Flannery O’Connor The same is true of a learning activity. Similar to a story, the author must provide an environment where the participant can practice skills, learn what information to pay attention […]
I was in advanced classes all through school, but at a certain point I remember battling a sense of failure. Not because I wasn’t achieving, but because I was achieving in traditionally ‘female’ spaces. If I was the kind of change agent I imagined myself to be then I should be attacking with vigor the […]
We asked 100 people ‘Name something you associate with an island’. Vacation Danger Empty I can’t confirm that Family Feud never asked this question. However, community programs and outreach do ask themselves. We choose how to define this island without recognizing the task most days. We envy those setting off on vacation to tropical islands–that […]
Fall Back Fall is a time many look forward to, AND it is also a time when others begin to dread the winter days ahead. For this blog post, we are not looking ahead to winter, but back. The winter 2023 Youth-Adult Partnership blog post focused on being intentional about describing who we are. As […]
AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects over 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, health, and homeland security. AmeriCorps’ members serve with more than 2,000 non-profits, public agencies, and community organizations. Jefferson and Rock County are working together […]
June 21 is the start of summer, the longest day of the year. In a year defined by a dry pattern, sun shines most days. However, it’s been uncharacteristically cool. If the sun is shining, why is there no warmth? I always say that I prefer cold weather to warm, because I can put more […]
The winter Youth-Adult Partnership blog post focused on being intentional about describing who we are. This spring as sunlight lengthens and warms our efforts, that language can be turned into helping describe what we need? And after we ask for what we need, how do we engage each other to get those things? The experiential […]
In January it is customary to set priorities for the new year AND a key aspect of the Juntos program is creating an educational plan. Juntos (pronounced “Who-n-toes”) means “Together” in Spanish. The Juntos program brings together cohorts of 8th-grade youth to support each other for three to five years as they enter high school […]
Back to Basics When I drive to work in the morning, I eye the lane changes that continue to change in the construction zone. For too many months, this route was blocked entirely. It was frustrating. My alternate route had many more obstacles, stoplights, and in general felt too slow. I was grateful my preferred […]
This week was the official start to summer. It was a hot one and it was full of another kind of heat, ‘sparks’. In Positive Youth Development we talk about how sparks “give a young person a sense of direction and encourages goal setting.” June 21 was one of two Spark Days held by Division […]
