As promised, below is an article on 4-H Youth Venture for use in county newsletters.
4-H Newsletter insert
Have you ever dreamed about starting your own club at school? Or maybe…for the longest time you’ve been batting about an idea for a service that would make a positive difference in your community? Well, now you can do it with the help of NH 4-H Youth Venture.
NH 4-H and Youth Venture have teamed up to create this exciting new program. Its goal is simple – empower young 4-H changemakers. Who are these young changemakers? Changemakers are teams of 4-H members, aged 12-18, who have a desire to create, manage, and sustain their own social ventures.
4-H adults also play a vital role as partners. Each 4-H Youth Venture team must have at least one adult partner who will serve as an advisor, but not play a direct role in managing the venture.
An powerful indication of how committed this program is to empowering young changemakers is the fact that each qualifying 4-H Youth Venture team will receive up to $1,000 in start-up money to fund approved ventures.
A qualifying 4-H Youth Venture:
* Is a new initiative started by young people called Venturers, ages 12-18
* Is led, created, and managed by a strong, energetic team of Venturers who are committed to long-term success
* Has clear, attainable goals, a credible plan and budget
* Has an adult partner willing to support, but not control the venture
* Leaves a lasting benefit to the community
NH 4-H Youth Venture’s innovative program will result in scores of opportunities for these young people to engage in, initiate, launch, and lead their own social ventures. “Imagine how these experiences will help these young social entrepreneurs develop life-long problem-solving skills, build self confidence, and nurture the understanding of how important it is to give back to their communities,” explains Wendy Brock, Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development. She adds, “Youth Venture’s Dream it. Do it. slogan is right on target. No idea is too small, or too big.”
For information on how to make your NH 4-H Youth Venture dream a reality, or to become an adult partner, please call or visit either: NH 4-H at 603-862-2198, www.extension.unh.edu/4H/4H.htm or Youth Venture at 603-223-9864, www.youthventure.org