URBANA, Ill. — As an organization, University of Illinois Extension values inclusivity and acknowledges and respects the similarities, differences, and contributions of all people and communities in identifying new ideas and approaches. Extension staff strive to include everyone and create a culture of belonging in our community outreach and engagement efforts.
Extension recently acknowledged three teams and individuals for their excellent work in inclusivity at the 2024 Annual Conference awards ceremony in November. The projects included a Hispanic neighborhood community garden, a special education 4-H visual arts program, and an environmental field day with underrepresented youth.
The Floreciente Community Garden, field-based horticulture, and SNAP-Ed team
What was once an unused plot of land in a Moline neighborhood has now grown into the flourishing Floreciente Community Garden, providing fresh food and combating food insecurity in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. The collaborative Extension team of horticulture and SNAP-Ed staff made it their goal to engage with the community to develop sustainable and relevant programs. The garden provides free, fresh produce through weekly “Pop-Up Produce Stands” that allow families to select food with dignity. In 2023, over 1,500 pounds of produce benefited more than 150 families. The project also offers youth horticulture programs and partners with the Palomares Social Justice Center to host community meals.
The Inclusive Excellence Field-Based Program Staff Team award went to Tayler Louscher, SNAP-Ed educator; Mitchell Walker, SNAP-Ed program coordinator; Tracy Jo Mulliken, horticulture and agriculture program coordinator; and Emily Swihart, horticulture educator. Photo above.
Special Education Visual Arts Program, 4-H Youth Development Metro Educator Elaine Kaple
After learning that special education students at Washington Junior High School in Rock Island were not part of the school’s art classes, 4-H Youth Development Metro Educator Elaine Kaple started an art enrichment program. In the spring of 2023, Kaple provided hands-on art activities like watercolor, pinch pots, and faux stained glass to 12 students in grades 6-8. She developed the six-part visual arts curriculum to focus on enhancing communication, emotional expression, and fine motor skills. Materials were chosen for their accessibility, ensuring that each child could fully participate in the creative process. The program will continue, and Kaple plans to expand into areas of essential life skills.
Kaple won the Inclusive Excellence Field-Based Program Staff Individual award for her efforts.
Photo caption: (left to right) Durriyyah Kemp, assistant director, region 1; and Elaine Kaple, 4-H youth development metro educator.
The Grand Calumet Stewardship Day, campus-based Illinois Indiana Sea Grant Team
An Illinois Indiana Sea Grant team won the campus-based program staff team inclusive excellence award for their work engaging with underrepresented youth in environmental science education. The Grand Calumet Stewardship Day enhances diversity in STEM by connecting students from economically disadvantaged schools with nature. Youth explored topics such as water quality and habitat restoration through hands-on learning activity stations with bilingual support. Stipends were provided to overcome financial barriers. Over two years, 120 students reported an increased knowledge and interest in nature and STEM careers. Teachers noted that the program inspired students and connected them with their local environment.
The Inclusive Excellence Campus-Based Program Staff Team award went to Ashley Belle, IISG Great Lakes areas of concern specialist; Kristin TePas, Visiting Great Lakes decision-making specialist; and Janice Milanovich, Great Lakes educator. IISG focuses on addressing the environmental challenges facing the southern Lake Michigan region of the Great Lakes. It is funded by and partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, University of Illinois, and Purdue University.
Photo caption: (Left to right) Ashley Belle, Janice Milanovich, and Kristin TePas.
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.