Urbana, Ill. – Three Illinois teens stand ready to take on new challenges as they begin their work on the 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador (HLA) team.
The HLA team is comprised of teen 4-H members who were chosen for their ability to lead, mentor, and teach in order to inspire others to become healthier. HLA members work to assist with healthy living programs and workshops in their community while developing leadership and collaborative skills as they serve on this statewide team.
Youth are often the influencers in their communities, which is why the 4-H Healthy Living Teen Ambassadors program uses teens to educate other youth and their families about healthy living topics that the ambassadors choose and facilitate.
New members Kelsey Aldrich of White County, Nick Gorbach of Rock Island County, and Peter Widinski of Will County will join current returning team members Lilah Bonny of Shelby County, Katelyn Marley of Montgomery County, and Allison Sewell of McClean County.
In the year ahead, the HLA team will focus on promoting healthy living and inspiring positive change within their communities. By leading workshops and engaging with youth, they will foster greater awareness of health and wellness, while also building valuable skills in leadership and collaboration. Through their work, they will continue to make a lasting impact on the well-being of those around them.
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.
Source: Susan Sloop, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist, ssloop@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu
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.