April Littig will be awarded the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Distinguished Service Award in a ceremony Nov. 7 in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
Littig provides leadership for 4-H youth development initiatives and club programming in a five-county unit that includes Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan, and Scott counties. In her nine years with Extension, she has worked on several developmental programs, including Illinois 4-H community clubs, new Latino audience outreach, employable youth programming, healthy living initiatives, social and emotional learning, and camping.
Her work with the Greene County United Way brought vital programming on healthy relationships and life skills to 300 students in the North Greene school district. Her $6,000 21st Century Learning Grant provides programming for 14 after-school sites, reaching youth from 5 to 14 years of age. She is a trained instructor for the Be Safe anti-bullying program, and provides oversight to the unit’s implementation of many state programs, including Welcome to the Real World, Health Rocks, Relationship Smarts, Inherited Traits, Be Safe, and National Youth Science Day.
Littig has inspired youth to make a greater impact in her communities, including annual food drives, meal-packaging events, birthday bags, angel trees, and safe trick or treat events.
Littig volunteered as chairperson of the Scott County Family Violence Prevention Coordinating Council, raising public awareness of domestic violence. She serves on the Morgan-Scott Mass Transit District Board and volunteers on the Morgan/Scott Interagency Committee and Morgan County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Committee.
“April has done an exceptional job of building relationships and networking with volunteers and youth across our five-county unit,” says Aaron Dufelmeier, Extension county director. “April embraces our mission and has the vision and knowledge needed to help our youth succeed. She constantly works to create, develop, and deliver programs that allow youth to gain a sense of belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery. April portrays an upbeat and positive approach to educating young people.”