MEXICO, New York (March 25, 2008) – Strong collaboration and similar goals brought three community organizations together recently to provide after-school services. The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County 4-H program was awarded a $40,000 grant from J.C. Penney to help provide after-school services, which in turn helped Oswego County Opportunities Youth Services (OCO) keep their Hannibal Middle School program running this year, and allow students the opportunity to see what 4-H has to offer.

            The partnership began when Oswego County 4-H was seeking involvement in some of the established after-school programs in the area, and heard that OCO was in danger of losing funding for their program at Hannibal Middle School.

            “We wanted to apply for a grant from J.C. Penney that was only available to 4-H organizations,” said Oswego County 4-H Team Coordinator Linda Brosch. “When we were made aware of the fact that OCO needed funding for their program in Hannibal we saw a perfect fit.”

            Oswego County 4-H applied for the grant and was awarded $40,000. They in turn collaborated with OCO so they could continue their Hannibal After-School Program weekdays from 2:30-5:15 p.m. Staff from the 4-H program provides additional services two days each week, and a new 4-H Club has begun meeting once a month.

            OCO Rural After-School Program Coordinator Deborah Daby has been pleased that the program was able to remain up and running. In January she said the program had more than 120 participating students.

            “This was an awesome opportunity for OCO and 4-H,” Daby said. “We continue the program services, and 4-H can participate without having to run the day-to-day needs of the program. This was a truly successful community partnership involving several organizations.”

            The J.C. Penney After-School Fund has been financing these types of 4-H after school programs nationwide for several years including groups such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club. Funding for the program comes from special in-store merchandise sales and other programs like this year’s “Take an NFL Player” to lunch program.

            “As a result of the funding we have implemented a variety of 4-H activities with the after-school students,” said Brosch. “One example is ‘Mini-Society’, a game where the youth create their own country including its government, currency and economy. It’s a fun way to teach them fundamental concepts of economic, entrepreneurship and citizenship. The students at Hannibal Middle School called their country Raspafiers Territory and their currency is a Frizzy.”

            Oswego J.C. Penney Manager Jeff Bame was pleased that his community received a portion of the $1 million total available.

            “We were very enthusiastic to learn about the funding, and the benefits we are seeing as result at the Hannibal Middle School,” Bame said. “It’s wonderful to see these initiatives directly impact our local community.”

            Bame estimated that between $6-7,000 were raised for the program at the local Oswego store during the past year.

            “It really it comes down to our customers supporting these types of fundraisers,” he added. “With this local award, they can see what their support can do right in their own community.”

            Brosch said the program has been a great way to connect with students that may not have known about 4-H previously and extend the mission of the program.

            The J.C. Penney After-School Fund is a not-for-profit organization established through J. C. Penney retail stores to raise money specifically available to after school programs through organizations like 4-H.

            OCO is a local Community Action Agency that provides a broad range of human services to thousands of individuals in Oswego County.  Services include medical, education, nutrition, residential, transportation and counseling.

4-H is an informal educational program for youth ages 5-19 built on subject matter projects developed by Cornell Cooperative Extension and by the National 4-H Council. The program information is used by interested adults who serve as volunteer leaders. Oswego County’s 4-H program is operated through Oswego County Cornell Cooperative Extension in Mexico and funded by a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Cornell University’s New York State Land Grant College, and the Oswego County Legislature.

To learn more about the Oswego Country 4-H program please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County at (315) 963-7286, ext. 401 or visit http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/oswego/4-H.htm.