Youth Development Insights

Achieving Meaningful Youth-Adult Partnerships

May 8, 2026
By Nicole K Marshall-Wheeler
Youth are an asset in our community which are often under-utilized – they’re a formidable and able group in communities who bring their own unique value to conversation and decisions. Choosing to intentionally include youth in leadership and decision making can be challenging, yet extremely rewarding for all…
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Adult Volunteer chatting with a youth in the On The Wild Side 4-H program.

Cultivating Growth

May 15, 2024
By Marianne Bird
My favorite part of our Sacramento 4-H volunteer orientation comes when we introduce the 4-H Thriving Model (Arnold, 2018). Think back to when you were a child or a teenager, we ask.
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Volunteering Builds Stronger Communities

April 30, 2024
By JoLynn C Miller
Volunteering may be the answer to bringing people together, in a time where there seems to be more division than ever. The Census Bureau and AmeriCorps report that while formal volunteering rates have declined, informal volunteering rates have remained steady.
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From Youth to Competent Adults: The Long-Term Outcomes of 4-H

January 12, 2024
By Nicole K Marshall-Wheeler
From Youth to Competent Adults: The Long-Term Outcomes of 4-H Participating in the 4-H Youth Development Program can be rewarding for youth in many ways. Often youth participate in programs or projects which help them cultivate new skills or gain confidence while having fun.
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The Benefits of Volunteering

September 6, 2023
By JoLynn C Miller
The Benefits of Volunteering Volunteering with 4-H can be a rewarding experience that not only helps young people but also benefits the volunteers themselves.
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