Momentum Builds from the Local Level
Creating space and understanding to facilitate meaningful change on some of our society's most pressing social issues is a daunting task. The long-term implications of injustice, exclusion, oppression, and racism have unfairly burdened many communities and cultures across the country. But this isn't something happening in other places, it's happening in our own towns and neighborhoods. Many of our friends, neighbors, and co-workers live with this reality every day.
Because of our direct connection to communities across the state, Illinois Extension is uniquely positioned for action. From internal staff training to programs for youth, and from support for small business owners to resources for municipal leaders, we are rallying around the belief that the time for equality is now.
Featured Highlights
Juntos
Juntos (pronounced "who-n-toes") is a Spanish word that means "together" and is the name given to Ready4Life Challenge clubs designed for Spanish speaking youth and families. Juntos clubs are created to help middle and high school students and their families gain the skills and knowledge needed to achieve success through high school graduation, pursuit of of post-secondary education, and sustained employment.
- Family support is an essential component to preparing youth for their future as adults.
- Learn by doing is what we do in 4-H and by becoming a 4-H club member participants in Juntos will have opportunities to practice what they learn in real world settings.
- During the coaching and mentoring sessions youth are developing a meaningful relationship with a positive adult role model, engaged in hands on activities illustrate key success principles, and participate in meaningful discussion with coaches that cover a variety of readiness topics.
Standing Together, Taking Action
Standing Together Taking Action is an Illinois virtual 4-H club for youth ages 13 and older who want to navigate topics including social justice, leadership, racial equity, conflict resolution, service-learning, and more in a respectful and non-judgmental environment. STTA is designed to:
- Bring Illinois youth together to deliberate, reflect, and learn how to act on social justice issues
- Provide a safe space to educate and engage youth in healthy conversations surrounding social justice
- Allow youth a platform to speak and act on issues that affect their communities
- Provide resources and direction for youth to promote effective change related to social justice issues in their club, community, country, and world
Just In Time Equity Dialogue
The Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team offers the Just In Time Equity Dialogues for Youth. The Equity Guided Dialogues are a series of lessons to bring youth together to deliberate, reflect, and take action on social justice issues. Each guide focuses on issues that investigate systematic and structural injustices using multiple perspectives that lead to critical awareness, deep reflection, and personal growth.
- What is Bias?
- Are Fair and Equal the Same Thing?
- What Do You Mean Black Lives Matter? Increasing Understanding of Cultural Movements
- All Lives Matter- Right or Wrong?
- Does Racism Still Exist? Increasing Understanding of Systematic Racism
- Why Do People Riot to Get Their Point Across? Understanding Civil Unrest
4-H Real Talk
This dialogue series presents an honest reflection on the experiences of racism which our Black and Latina staff have had during their tenure with 4-H. The goal of the initiative is to highlight past failures and future possibilities in how we support anti-racism among our workforce, volunteers, and youth membership. The series challenges organizational culture and drives conversation about needed change, even in situations that produce personal discomfort.
- Digital accessibility (e.g., program materials, online resources).
- Digital equity (e.g., equitable broadband/internet connection).
- Accessibility and accommodation processes (e.g., LEP, persons with disabilities).
- Program participants [and a workforce] that represent the diversity of Illinois.
- Equitable food access.
- Financial inclusion.
- Farm stress intersectionality (e.g., race, gender, etc.).
- Trauma-informed care practices.
- Health disparities.
- Environmental justice.
- Women farmers (e.g., Annie’s Project)
- Trans-inclusive practices.
- Refugee and immigrant-focused programming.
- LGBTQIA+ coalitions and DEIA committees.
- Mental Health First Aid training.
- Programs designed to support older adults.