MSU Extension 4-H Healthy Youth

Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission, is excited to announce the official launch of the 4-H HealthCorps program for the 2024-25 program year. After a successful summer pilot in 2024, this initiative, funded by AmeriCorps and the Michigan Community Service Commission, will expand its reach to counties across Michigan to provide critical mental, social and emotional health programming to youth.

The program places AmeriCorps members in counties across the state to deliver essential educational workshops and family events that focus on enhancing positive coping skills, self-care strategies and healthy living practices. With a goal of serving 2,000 Michigan youth over the next year, 4-H HealthCorps members will lead programming aimed at improving youth knowledge and behavior related to mental and physical well-being. Of those participants, 1,700 are expected to demonstrate an increase in knowledge, while 1,500 will report making behavioral changes based on what they learned in the workshops.

The need for this program is more evident than ever. Michigan’s youth, much like their peers across the nation, are facing significant challenges related to mental health. According to a 2021 report from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, barriers such as geographic isolation, limited access to care and financial constraints prevent many youth from receiving the support they need. The 4-H HealthCorps program addresses these issues by bringing mental health and wellness education directly into communities, allowing youth to access important resources and build skills to navigate life’s challenges.

AmeriCorps members will serve in eight Michigan counties, partnering with schools, 4-H clubs, parks and recreation departments, and other youth-based organizations to facilitate workshops on topics such as mindfulness, emotional wellness, substance misuse prevention and self-care. These members will make an impact in their communities, reaching youth where they live, learn and play.

In Genesee County, Raegan Dourjalian (she/her) will offer programming in schools and community centers, building on the success of this summer’s efforts. Doris Sheldon (she/her) in Monroe County will focus on building partnerships to implement mental health and substance use prevention workshops. In Ingham County, Laasya Koduri (she/her), Erayna Greenwood (she/her) and Erin Kelly (she/her) will collaborate to provide mental health and substance misuse prevention workshops at local schools, in after-school programs and with other youth-based programming, ensuring that youth in the region have the support they need.

In northern Michigan, Anna Jewell (she/he/they) will serve in Luce County while Erica LaBar (she/her) will serve in Schoolcraft County. Both these members will be working to reach youth in rural areas who may have limited access to mental health resources. In Wexford County, Marla Courtney (she/her) will partner with local organizations to offer educational workshops designed to improve youth mental health literacy and self-care practices.

The impact of this program goes beyond individual workshops. By providing sustained support and education throughout the year, 4-H HealthCorps aims to empower youth to develop lifelong skills that promote both mental and physical well-being. The program also focuses on reaching vulnerable populations, such as youth who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, LGTBQIA+ youth, youth in rural areas, those in the juvenile justice system and those facing economic hardship, ensuring that no child is left without the resources they need to thrive.

The inaugural year of the 4-H HealthCorps program marks a significant milestone in MSU Extension’s commitment to supporting youth well-being throughout the state. With a strong foundation built during the summer pilot, the program is poised to make a lasting impact on thousands of young people in Michigan.

For more information on MSU Extension’s healthy living programming and educational efforts for youth, visit our 4-H Healthy Youth website. To learn more about the Michigan 4-H HealthCorps AmeriCorps program, please contact Andrea Villanueva, MSU Extension educator, at villan17@msu.edu or 517-355-2308.