MSU Extension 4-H Healthy Youth

Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission, launched the 4-H HealthCorps pilot program this summer, placing six AmeriCorps members in counties across Michigan to address the mental, social and emotional well-being of youth. As MSU Extension announced in December of 2023, the program focused on enhancing positive coping skills, self-care strategies, and health practices through educational workshops and family events.

With support of $350,000 in grants from AmeriCorps and the Michigan Community Service Commission, this initiative made a significant impact in seven counties: Genesee, Saginaw, Clare, Gladwin, Oakland, Luce, and Marquette. Between June 2024 and September 2024, AmeriCorps members facilitated 65 workshops and events, reaching 847 youth through 4-H and school summer camps, Special Interest clubs (SPIN clubs), and partnering with community organizations such as local parks, recreation departments and libraries.

AmeriCorps members were essential in bringing the 4-H HealthCorps programming to life, each making a significant impact in their assigned counties. Maddison Campbell served in Genesee County, where she played a pivotal role in delivering mental health and wellness workshops to youth across four different summer school programs. Her sessions focused on developing positive coping strategies and promoting self-care practices, directly addressing the mental health needs of local students during the crucial summer months. In Saginaw County, Oshay Mitchell reached youth and their families through neighborhood community centers, providing a safe and supportive space for them to learn about emotional wellness and healthy living. Her work in these close-knit communities helped foster meaningful connections to each other and 4-H for participants.

Erin Breault, who served in both Clare and Gladwin counties, focused on providing mindfulness and self-care education to several SPIN clubs. Her programming equipped youth with tools to manage stress and prioritize mental health, offering essential life skills that they could carry with them beyond the summer. Shameca Dillon, serving in Oakland County, took a creative approach by partnering with the local libraries, parks, and recreation department. Through this collaboration, she offered weekly classes to youth at four different locations, incorporating healthy eating habits, positive coping skills, and mental health education, creating a holistic approach to well-being.

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mackenzie Dunbar and Justice Nix were placed in Luce and Marquette counties, respectively. Both AmeriCorps members played key roles in engaging youth through 4-H summer camps, where they combined outdoor activities with workshops on mental and emotional health. Their efforts in these rural counties were particularly valuable, as they helped bridge the gap for youth who may have limited access to mental health resources and educational programs. Through these camps, Mackenzie and Justice fostered an environment of learning, growth and emotional support for the young people in their communities.

The need for the 4-H HealthCorps program is clear. In recent years, Michigan’s youth, like their peers across the U.S., have experienced significant increases in mental health challenges. According to a 2021 report from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, over a third of the state’s youth experiencing mental health challenges do not receive the services they need due to barriers such as provider shortages, geographic limitations, and financial constraints. An April 2022 article published in the journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America and the Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Youth People highlight vulnerable populations, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and youth with disabilities, are disproportionately affected, stressing the urgent need for accessible mental health education and support.

The 4-H HealthCorps program aims to address these challenges by bringing mental health education directly to communities. The 847 youth who participated in these workshops not only learned valuable skills but also gained access to resources that can help them navigate the complexities of mental and emotional well-being.

In its summer pilot, the program successfully reached hundreds of youth across Michigan, laying the groundwork for continued expansion. As the program enters its first full year, kicking off this October, MSU Extension remains committed to supporting youth through these important initiatives, ensuring that all children have the tools they need to thrive.

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.