Building relationships is an important part of establishing a new 4-H program.

Through qualitative questionnaires and focus group interviews, we analyzed experiences of six new bilingual and bicultural program staff, hired specifically to implement youth development programming to reach Latino youth. Staff reported a steep learning curve, with competing demands to build relationships, engage youth and show results. Lessons learned may help shape activities that other youth development programs may consider in similar efforts.

"Staff emphasized that getting to know the community and building relationships were the most important parts of starting a new 4-H program," the report says. "Staff identified several 4-H program models they utilized to engage Latino youth in 4-H; these included after-school clubs, SPIN (special interest) clubs, in-school clubs, day camps, and short-term/special interest programs."

Sonoma County offers After School Clubs and Day Camps when schools are out. These clubs are in Santa Rosa and Windsor. To learn more about these clubs, contact Diego Mariscal at dmariscal@ucanr.edu.

To learn more about this report, contact Steven Worker at smworker@ucanr.edu. 

This article was first published in UCCE Sonoma County blog.