Rockford, ILL [October 4, 2023]— Illinois Extension has a long-standing commitment to providing youth development programs throughout the state. Locally, in the Rockford area, Extension has recently welcomed Gina Adams into a new role as 4-H Youth Development Educator. Previously, she has worked for Extension within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for over eight years. Within the new position, Adams will concentrate on under-served youth and focus on critical youth development issues while working with local partners including community centers, agencies, and schools.

Adams plans to deliver programming on social-emotional learning with a focus on mental health for youth. She also plans to implement a basic life skills curriculum and an anti-bullying program for school-age youth. This will be done by partnering with many local youth serving organizations.

Margaret Larson, Extension Director for Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties is looking forward to seeing the needs of youth in Rockford met by an Extension Educator once again. “I am happy to have been able to move Gina into this new role in Rockford. She is well established within the community and through her SNAP position and her volunteer experiences has a great grasp of the needs for youth. I know her dedication and passion to help youth will create the positive experiences our youth need to succeed.”

Adams has a master’s in teaching from Kaplan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Service from Judson University.  

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with youth in SNAP providing educational programming about nutrition,” says Adams. “I’m excited to expand my work to help youth in other areas of development as well.”

Adams was born and raised in Rockford and has raised three children in the city. She is a board member for Zion Lutheran Church and is actively involved with their outreach program, Ruthie’s Kitchen, where she helps serve meals to the homeless on Saturdays.

“I believe I’ve created a good rapport with people in the local communities with my work as a SNAP Program Coordinator and my involvement in Ruthie’s Kitchen,” Adams points out. “This will help me seek out existing and new partnerships to be able to work with youth in the area.” Adams can be reached by calling the University of Illinois Extension office in Rockford at 815-986-4357.

Adams is part of a 25-person local Extension staff as one of seven Educators helping to connect university and resources to communities. Program areas in Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties include 4-H and Youth Development, Agriculture, Energy & Environment, Local Foods & Small Farms, Nutrition & Wellness, Horticulture and Illinois Nutrition Education Programming. For more information about Extension, visit www.go.illinois.edu/jsw or call 815-986-4357 to learn more.