Civic Engagement and Community Service

Summary

In an effort to increase the knowledge of Civic Engagement and Community Service in Oconee's youth, the County Extension Agent developed different activities to expose 4-H'ers and other youth to this concept.

Situation

The term Civic Engagement encompasses many different things. Namely, it involves community service, political activism, environmentalism, and other volunteer activities that provide needed services to community residents. Studies show that giving young people the opportunity to become engaged in civic activities increases the likelihood that they will become healthy, active citizens. Furthermore, there are many psychological, social and intellectual benefits to youth who participate (childtrends.org). In a study conducted by Michelson, Zaff, and Hair (2002) on civic engagement programs, many benefits were identified from youth participation. Benefits included: • Increased knowledge of and improved attitudes about the elderly • Positive impacts on school engagement, attendance and educational outcomes • Reductions in pregnancy rates Therefore, it is apparent that Civic Education is a crucial component for an adolescent's successful transition to adulthood. It is also a great way to get youth positively involved in their communities. Research on Civic Engagement programs show that in order to have the maximum amount of impact, programs should mimic real-world experience and should be paired with opportunities to engage in service.

Response

The 4-H Youth Development County Agent has provided the following community service and citizenship opportunities on a monthly basis in which youth can participate: • Cooking with Care, a program that makes a meal from scratch and then donates the meal to a foster family in the county. • Road Clean Up, 4-H youth assist in keeping the road clean and free of litter in an effort to promote county beautification. • Magnolia Friends, 4-H youth visit a local nursing home to play games, create art projects and visit with the residents. • Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students (GCAPS), a program offered to students in the 11th and 12th grades that offer youth the opportunity to learn more about local and state government. This program is offered in collaboration with the Oconee Board of Commissioners and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). • Wrote newspaper articles about child and youth health nutrition that were published in the local newspaper.

Impact

• Since 2008, 948 4-H youth have participated in Road Clean Up, Cooking with Care, and Magnolia Estates throughout the school year. 77 4-H'ers rang the Salvation Army bell during the holidays in December and 86 students raised money for charity at the annual 4-H Fun-A-Thon. Senior 4-H Youth also created cards and donated care items to military servicemen and women overseas each year. • 782 cigarette butts were picked up in downtown Watkinsville through a partnership with Keep Oconee Beautiful. • 98 11th and 12th grade students completed GCAPS. While participating in the program, students were educated about the importance of being actively conscious of their local government environment and the opportunities available in the public sector. They were also provided with the opportunity to learn first-hand the roles and services that local governments fulfill and offer to all citizens in Georgia. Post-program evaluations showed 100% of the students agreed that they had a clear understanding of GCAPS and that their experience was rewarding. One student stated, “I had a positive experience with GCAPS. I feel more connected to community.” • Agent received the Excellence in Teen Programming – Individual Award from the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents for her work with the GCAPS program.

State Issue

Civic Engagement for Youth

Details

• Year: 2011
• Geographic Scope: County
• County: Oconee
• Program Areas:
  • 4-H Youth