Youth Development and 4-H - Central Missouri Program Page

The Innovative Learning Center

This program will also implement enhanced practices that will enrich positive outcomes and further align with research and evidence on effective YD programming and mentoring. The objective of this program is to provide direct one-on-one, group (up to, but not exceed 12 youth assigned to one area educator), peer engagement (age 15 or older), or a combination to underserved youth populations. Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Youth Development's aim is to continue existing programs enhanced for at-risk, high-risk, or underserved youth populations and to address factors that can lead to or serve as a catalyst for delinquency, underachievement or other problem behaviors in underserved youth.

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Youth Development (YD) is designed to increase the number of students engaged in STEAM related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Math) subjects via a diverse Extension program in Jefferson City, Missouri. It is intended to stimulate the growth of high-risk and underserved high school graduates pursuing career goals within STEAM-related career fields, furthering the competitive and community goals for Lincoln University, the state of Missouri and the United States. Furthermore, it is intended to support underserved and underrepresented youth between 8 through 18 years of age with academic and experiential learning opportunities that are culturally relevant and fundamental to academic success.  

Programming that engages youth will be offered at the Dorothy Pack Community Center throughout the school year. The deleterious effects of the lack of academic engagement during summer breaks will be counteracted through summer learning experiences designed to increase student proficiency and preparedness for college entry.

Throughout the academic year, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Youth Development will host workshops and community service-learning projects. While focusing on childhood obesity avoidance and reduction, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension Youth Development (YD) programming will consist of learning objectives designed to increase skills and awareness in health education and obesity prevention subjects.  The center is also designed to develop and enhance leadership skills, aptitude for community involvement and healthy decision-making skills.