4-H turns Arkansas' young into leaders
The green clovers of St. Patrick's Day put us in mind of another clover that has thrived in Arkansas since 1908.
Since the first 4-H Club formed in White County, the Arkansas 4-H program has blossomed to 600 clubs across the state, reaching more than 120,000 kids every year and making it the largest youth development program in the state.
If you know a current 4-H'er or alum, you'll usually see some way that they've been influenced by something they say at every meeting: "I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world."
That pledge and the first-rate program has astounding results. A 20-year study from Tufts University's Institute of Applied Research in Youth Development shows that, compared to their peers, 4-H youth are four times more likely to make a positive contribution to their communities, twice as likely to report living life with intentionality and purpose, twice as likely to have the goal of being a leader, twice as likely to make healthier choices and four times more likely to graduate college.
We see our Arkansas 4-H youth demonstrate exceptional resilience, adaptability and a passion for making a positive impact in their communities. From innovative projects to leadership initiatives, they showcase their dedication to the values that make 4-H a transformative experience.
St. Patrick's Day is the annual giving day to support this remarkable Arkansas program. Funds donated to the nonprofit Arkansas 4-H Foundation go straight to youth who need financial assistance to experience these remarkable outcomes. Over the past five years, Arkansas 4-H members have received more than $600,000 in scholarships for camps, conferences, learning trips and college tuition.
These funds help youth like Clayton Stark from Lonoke County, who after wrapping up his years of 4-H told us, "Arkansas 4-H has taught me not only how to achieve goals, but also how to grow from failed attempts. It has taught me to step out of my comfort zone and to dream big. You see, 4-H didn't just make a difference in my life; it taught me how I want to live my life."
The Arkansas 4-H program is delivered by trained volunteers, mentors and staff, and is offered in all 75 counties.
Today these kids could use a hand. Arkansans can invest in their future on this 4th Annual St. Patrick's 4-H Giving Day by making a tax-deductible donation to the Arkansas 4-H Foundation at arkansas4hfoundation.org, by texting AR4H to 44321, or by mailing a check to The Arkansas 4-H Foundation, 1 Four H Way, Little Rock, AR 72223.
They need you and your support because we all know it takes more than a lucky clover to succeed.
John Thomas
Little Rock
managing director
Arkansas 4-H Foundation