Taylorville, Ill. – Cheralee Vohlken is the newest member of the local Illinois Extension and 4-H team, serving Christian and Montgomery Counties. As a 4-H youth development program coordinator, Cheralee will provide evidence-based, hands-on learning programs to youth to help them explore opportunities and acquire life skills.
"We are excited to welcome Cheralee to our unit and her new role. We look forward to the skills and service she will bring to Christian and Montgomery Counties, and we know that her past experiences will serve her well. I look forward to the growth and innovation she will bring to our 4-H programs," says Sara Marten, Extension county director.
Cheralee will work closely with established 4-H clubs and special interest groups to fulfill the goals of the 4-H program, provide high-quality learning opportunities surrounding the key aspects of positive youth development, and seek out and train new volunteers to create new 4-H club experiences, aimed at increasing membership across multiple counties. "I'm excited to build meaningful new connections and ignite the 4-H spirit in even more youth across Christian and Montgomery Counties—empowering the next generation with hands-on learning, leadership, and lifelong skills," Cheralee says.
Cheralee is a lifelong Greenville resident and previously worked as the 4-H youth development program coordinator in Bond County. She has experience working with youth in both daycares and as a special education paraprofessional. Before coming to Extension, she owned JoMama's Signature Sweets. Cheralee enjoys spending time gardening, thrifting, and crafting.
Cheralee is based in the Christian County office in Taylorville and can be reached at vohlken@illinois.edu or (217) 287-7246.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.