Objectives:
To provide hands-on experiential learning experiences and behavioral change experiences for youth who reside in high- risk communities, as well as those who exhibit risky behavior.

Summary:
Youth ages 5-19 participate in weekly and monthly learning experiences through the workshop, 4-H Club and after-school settings. The programs are both volunteer led and non- volunteer led. Volunteers are trained to work with both youth in high-risk communities and with youth exhibiting risky behavior. Curriculum is inclusive of healthy lifestyles, anger management, leadership development, plant and soil science, foods and nutrition, and college and vocational exploration.

Some specialized curriculum and learning experiences include: Collaborative Tutoring, Teen Leadership Connection (TLC), Youth Futures, Youth Forum, 4-H Camping, 4-H After-School, and State 4-H Council leadership.

Major collaborations have included the Capitol City Boys and Girls Club, Jefferson City Housing Authority, East Elementary School, Moreau Heights Elementary School, C Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Lewis & Clark Middle School, and University of Missouri 4-H.

Impact:
Participant educational impact includes increase of one to four letter grades for the past two years; the range change has been 47%-66% of those participating. This change was realized through the volunteer-led Collaborative Tutoring Program. Over the past two years, volunteers contributed 725 hours to the academic success of youth, which translates into a savings of$10,875 if parents had to pay for a similar service.

Two (2) youth have served in regional leadership roles on the state 4-H Council.

Some 33% of the first generation potential college participants in the Youth Futures program in the Jefferson City area have changed their attitude toward attending college as a result of participating in the program.

86% of the youth participating in the five-week educational preparatory for the Outdoor Cookery Contest have increased knowledge related to avoidance of food-borne illness.