Urban Youth Learn

Urban Youth Learn is a partnership between Minnesota Urban 4-H Youth Development and other youth-serving organizations that builds sustainable programs that meet the unique needs of urban youth. Urban Youth Learn is designed to help volunteers and program leaders create, strengthen, and advance youth programs that occur during nonschool hours.

Partners in "Urban Youth Learn" Receive

• A fall event designed to explore a partnership and create an energetic start to the program
• Access to University of Minnesota resources such as the Minnesota 4-H Foundation, Minnesota 4-H Youth Development program, and research-based curriculum
• Access to interns and volunteers to support program development and delivery
• Professional development opportunities
• Program leader's guide that includes tools, strategies, and information about multiple aspects of program development
• Year-long program support designed to build and maintain program quality
• Annual evaluation that assesses the program's impact on youth learning

Current Partners:

See Map for current "Urban Youth Learn" program locations and partnerships.

For more information:

Jessica Russo, M.Ed.
Phone: 612.624.7625
pier0239@umn.edu

* Urban Youth Learn was selected by peer review through the National
Association of Extension 4-H Agents to be featured in the
Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Program Models

Urban Youth Lead

Through Urban Youth Lead, Urban 4-H partners with schools, agencies, organizations, and volunteers to build sustainable leadership programs that meet the unique needs of urban youth. Urban Youth Lead is a leadership development program designed to expose young people to the worlds of higher education and careers by using an innovative youth development approach. Influenced by educational philosopher Paulo Freire, this approach allows youth to build awareness and leadership skills so that ultimately, they discover how they are the authors of their own lives.

Partners in Urban Youth Lead Receive

• A fall event designed to explore a partnership and create an energetic start to the program
• Access to University of Minnesota resources such as the Minnesota 4-H Foundation, Minnesota 4-H Youth Development program, and research-based curriculum
• Access to interns and volunteers to support program development and delivery
• Professional development opportunities
• Research-based guide that provides a framework and curriculum to help program leaders build an intentional learning environment that facilitates youth leadership development
• Year-long program support designed to build and maintain program quality
• Annual evaluation that assesses the program's impact on youth leadership

Audience

Although Urban Youth Lead was originally created with adolescents in mind, it is up to the youth and the program leaders they work with to decide how they want to apply Urban Youth Lead.

Partners
See map for a list of our current programs and partners.

For program information and questions:

Erica Gates
Phone: 612-624-7603
gates015@umn.edu

Jessica Pierson Russo
Phone: 612-624-7625
pier0239@umn.edu

*In May 2006, Minnesota Urban 4-H Youth Development was nationally recognized by the Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services (BRYCS) in Washington, DC as a promising youth development practice.