| The San Rafael Pro Rodeo donated discount tickets to the Youth and Families with Promise so they could attend the rodeo. |
The Youth and Families with Promise program is one of the many services offered by the Utah State Extension Agency. Youth and Families with promise is an early prevention program for at risk youth between the ages of 10-14. Youths are matched with both a young adult mentor and a grandmentor who help provide social support, structured activities, community involvement, and educational improvement. YFP efforts have been applauded at a national level. One YFP volunteer, Heather Young, from Blanding was recognized as a National Points of Light Volunteer for 2002.
Participants in YFP for 2001-02 included 550 youths, 1,500 family members and 600 mentors at 27 sites in 22 counties in Utah. Local coordinator Diane Tadehara said, “Right here in Emery County, our YFP group has done several service projects to help build a commitment to community. In April over thirty of us did a clean up project at Huntington State Park. Once the work was done, we had a crawdad fest where some of our youth who had never before caught crawdads learned about them and their habitat. The youth were even given the opportunity to taste them. For many, it will be an acquired taste.
“More recently we participated in the Relay For Life where Emery County’s YFP helped raise over $150 for the American Cancer Society. We published a cookbook sold for the fundraiser in addition to having walkers in the relay. We’ve combined YFP with 4-H to learn about ham and bacon from gestation to birth and on to top stockbreeders. We will continue working with 4-H to further broaden our knowledge.
“Wal-Mart of Price has partnered with Emery County YFP to support our 4-H adventures by donating money/materials. During the last school year we held an after school program at Castle Dale Elementary and plan to do the same this coming year. We focus on fine-tuning social skills and reinforce academic pursuits.
“We have tested the dramatic waters by performing a play at the Little Theatre at the Spartan Center. We did some script rewriting, designed costumes, scenery, and held rehearsals. After performance we indulged in the traditional cast party. We will have information about our program available at the Emery County Fair. Watch for more news about our first annual “Look Good-Do Good” fundraiser this month where some of the county’s finest salons and hairdressers will be donating $1 from haircuts to help support Emery County YFP,” said Tadehara