All children and youth are exposed to some degree of risk as they develop from infants to adults. With an unstable economy, more families face difficult decisions that impact their children’s nourishment, health care, living environment, social activities and ultimately educational achievement.

Since 1991, UNH Cooperative Extension has helped six New Hampshire high poverty communities create collaborative after-school programs where none existed before. Each community received help over a five-year period with technical assistance from county and state Cooperative Extension educators. They also received staff training, information and research, and some funding from the national Extension Children, Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR) program.

Two after-school programs in Seabrook and Hillsboro are nearing completion of five years of support. Both programs targeted middle school youth for positive out-of-school time activities, and included efforts to engage families in monthly activities with other the program staff, other parents and their children.

Annual evaluation of these programs shows some surprising results. In the Hillsboro program, three-quarters of participating fourth and fifth grade youth believe the program helps them finish their homework, and half think they argue or fight less with their parents about this important concern. Almost two-thirds of these youth feel closer to people in their school, think they get along better with their teachers, and have learned how to make good decisions.

Over half of the parents of sixth, seventh and eighth grade youth believe their child is showing more self-confidence and is more motivated to learn and try new things since they started attending. School personnel believe parents of these youth are more engaged in their child’s learning and are seen more frequently at school events.

In Seabrook, a leadership and after-school program for fifth through ninth grade youth from the lower Seacoast region communities helps youth learn to set goals and make good decisions, practice leadership, and take part in significant community service activities.

These youth are stewards of a mile of Hampton Beach, helping to keep it litter-free through a routine clean-up activity. Many youth believe the program has changed them as a person because of the emphasis on media messages and ads, learning how to deal with bullying, and learning how to make and be a good friend. Over half the parents see changes in their child including liking one's self better, showing more self-control, ability to resolve conflicts, and getting along better with peers.