Jackson County 4-H Youth Council Gives Back

When Jackson County 4-H Agent, Angel Granger held her year-end meeting with the Jackson County 4-H Association Advisory Committee, she shared with committee members some program success stories involving youth living in foster home situations, and how those experiences had touched her heart. One committee member, Mike Ubias who serves as a foster family host, shared with Granger just how important these types of opportunities are for children in foster situations. Often times these youth fall through the cracks and are not given the opportunity to be involved in programs such as 4-H. Mr. Ubias suggested that 4-H could also be helpful to youth in foster care during the holidays.

With that thought in mind, and a 4-H Youth Council meeting scheduled for that afternoon, Granger mentioned the need to the youth council members. They immediately got on board and were ready to be involved. Granger contacted Tasha Kirkland with Jackson Human Service Center, to find out what Jackson County 4-H could do to help. It was decided that since it was so close to the deadline for toy collection that the Youth Council would provide a meal for a family of four and after the first of the year that the Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club would partner with the 4-H Youth Council to provide items needed for “removal bags”. These bags are prepared with items for children in different age ranges to provide personal items in the event that the child is removed suddenly from an environment, so they will have their basic needs provided for.

If you are interested in providing items for youth in foster care, please contact Tasha Kirkland with the Jackson Human Service Center at (850) 482-9568 or Jackson County 4-H Agent Angel Granger.

0