IC Trainer Helps Expand Role of Youth throughout Missouri

Innovation Center trainer Steve Henness is Program Coordinator for the 4-H/Community Youth Development VISTA Program, an AmeriCorps*VISTA program in association with the University of Missouri Extension Program. Working with youth trainers, Steve trains communities to use the Innovation Center's Building Community tool kit to engage youth and adults. One noteworthy project is based in St. Francois County in Farmington, Missouri where a team of youth and adults helped create a countywide youth/adult council with 16 seats out of 32 held by youth. Steve notes that "The goal of the council is to expand the role of young people in local organizations and demonstrate what can be accomplished through youth/adult partnerships.” The council has formed work groups and is now planning projects, including a financial aid fair to assist people of all ages in getting ready for college. Under Steve's leadership, youth and adults throughout Missouri are using the tool kit to support efforts to develop youth centers. Steve says, "The tool kits help surface assets and strengths that young people bring to the community." A state youth civic leaders summit brought together 100 youth leaders and adult facilitators to celebrate accomplishments and create local action plans for engaging more youth and adults. "We’re seeing a national movement to get youth involved in decision-making and governance, with more funding and more incentives to make it happen," says Steve. For more information about using Innovation Center toolkits and training in your work, contact us at info@theinnovationcenter.org or 301-270-1700.