Latino Volunteerism in the 4-H Youth Development Program

Authors

Steven M. Worker, University of California, Agriculture and Natural ResourcesFollow
Maria G. Fábregas Janeiro, University of Missouri Extension, 4-H Center for Youth DevelopmentFollow
Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, University of California, Agriculture and Natural ResourcesFollow

Abstract

Nationally, the 4-H Youth Development Program utilizes more than 350,000 adult volunteers annually, and 25% of the nation’s K-12 students identify as Hispanic or Latino; however, there is a dearth of published literature on Latino volunteerism in the 4-H Youth Development Program. Developmental relationships, a critical component of realizing youth development outcomes, are enhanced when adults and young people share cultural values and identity markers. The Cooperative Extension System has an obligation to reach a diverse audience and ensure program participation reflects the demographics of the communities in which youth live. We review the literature on Latino volunteerism in 4-H, share what we learned implementing the 2016-2019 University of California 4-H Latino Initiative, and provide our reflections and recommendations.

Recommended Citation

Worker, S. M., Fábregas Janeiro, M. G., & Schmitt-McQuitty, L. (2021). Latino Volunteerism in the 4-H Youth Development Program. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 9(3), 13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54718/FNTY6389

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.