Clinton Twp., MI - MSU Extension staff have announced the start of the Michigan 4-H Future Squad program, sponsored by the Generator Z grant from the Ralph C Wilson, Jr Foundation. 4-H Future Squad is geared towards youth participants (aged 12-19 years old) residing in Macomb, Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe and St. Clair counties.
The 4-H Future Squad involves at least 30 virtual sessions on life skills, “adulting” type topics, seven in-person content specific days (one in each county), and seven community service days (one in each county). Topics range from money management, handling stress, preparing for work, communicating with others, preparing food and more. The full program runs October 2021-June 2022.
As incentives for participation, youth will receive a t-shirt for attendance at six sessions (in-person, virtual or combination) and at least a partial scholarship to Exploration Days for attending ten sessions (in-person, virtual or combination) if so chosen. A 4-H Future Squad youth planning committee is helping shape content, assist with promotion and recruitment and drive the program success.
Youth will be asked to enroll in 4-H as part of their involvement and pre-register for chosen sessions. The enrollment is free and allows connection to the larger Michigan 4-H program. Selection of sessions (whether virtual or in-person) to attend will be up to the youth participant and family. For more information, current program dates, and details on how to register youth, go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/career_preparation/4-hfuturesquad
Launched in in 2020, Generator Z is a teen-led initiative to reimagine the future of afterschool. More than 1,000 'Generators' from across Southeast Michigan and Western New York shared their afterschool experience and insight online. Afterschool providers stepped up with ideas to turn that teen insight into action. Over 90 providers across both regions received $4 million to bring their ideas to life in the next year and [organization name] is one of them! Generator Z is driven by teens and powered by Lakeshore Connections with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Learn more at www.generator-z.org.
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) brings educational programs to residents empowering them to improve their lives and community. County-based MSUE staff, in concert with on-campus faculty members, serve residents with programming focused on agriculture, natural resources, children, youth, families, community and economic development.