Teens Thrive in Innovative Community Program in Watertown

On November 18, 2023, a vibrant scene unfolded at a Cornell Cooperative Extension classroom in Watertown, New York. A group of teenagers and preteens engaged in creative activities, crafting clay wands and potion bottles as part of the Community Assets Resiliency Education (CARE) program. Participants, aged 9 to 15, collaborated to create invisible ink, using Q-tips and a mixture of rubbing alcohol and turmeric to reveal their messages. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and conversation, highlighting the program’s success in fostering connections among youth.

Gabrielle Dion, a 4-H CARE wellness educator, facilitated the session, which incorporated elements from the popular 4-H Wizarding World curriculum, inspired by the Harry Potter series. Parents like Charmane McConnell have noted significant changes in their children since joining the program. McConnell expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “My daughter has made so many friends. She gets excited to go, enjoys all the lessons, and speaks up in the program.”

Now in its second year, the CARE program receives funding from the New York State Department of Health. It aims to enhance communication skills, goal planning, and community connection for both youth and their caregivers. Currently, approximately 100 students participate in the program, which operates as a 4-H afterschool club in three middle schools across Jefferson County. This year, two sessions have been successfully conducted for homeschoolers, with families eager to enroll in future offerings.

The CARE program encompasses various activities, including community service projects, career planning, and STEM enrichment. Participants learn valuable social and emotional skills, such as how to intervene in bullying situations and reframing negative thoughts. Jennifer Howland, CARE program manager, highlighted the program’s impact, stating, “We’ve watched a transformation of some very quiet youth who are now able to stand up not only for themselves but for others.”

With a focus on underresourced students and those facing social and emotional challenges, the program has proven particularly beneficial for the area’s military families. Dion noted, “Youth in military families are moving around a lot, so having a concentrated time where they’re building connections with others is really useful.”

Parents like McConnell appreciate the program’s positive influence on their children. She observed that her kids eagerly share their experiences after each session, marking a shift in their enthusiasm for learning. “They’re just so excited to tell me what they’ve done, which is not normal,” McConnell remarked, adding that the program’s free nature fosters a sense of community.

Building Futures and Skills

During the November session, participants not only created invisible ink but also explored their aspirations. They engaged in an activity focused on career goal-setting, part of the Project Adult Identity Mentoring (AIM) curriculum developed by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This evidence-based approach helps youth envision positive futures and make healthy choices to achieve their objectives.

In the second hour, participants transitioned to the 4-H Wizarding World curriculum, where they crafted Quidditch snitches and mixed baking soda with water for their invisible ink. Dion, who co-led the session with Kara Coon, a 4-H youth development educator, emphasized the diversity of activities, allowing youth to express their abilities in various ways. “We really get to see the full spectrum of the kids’ abilities, socially, academically, and then creatively,” she explained.

The afterschool variant of the CARE program, which meets weekly during the school year, mirrors the core curriculum while adding a community service emphasis through the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), created by national youth development nonprofit Wyman. Last year, students organized drives for local animal shelters, food pantries, and children’s hospitals, accumulating 20 hours of community service learning. Jessica Lowe shared how her son Jonah, 11, became more engaged in his community through these efforts, saying, “He has grown as an individual socially and become more confident in himself.”

Fostering Connections for Families

The CARE program also extends its support to caregivers, facilitating communication between parents and their teens. One highlight is the 11-week Strengthening Families program, which employs an evidence-based curriculum developed by Iowa State University Extension. Each week, educators bring families together for meals and open discussions. Howland observed transformative changes during the spring session, noting a marked improvement in family dynamics. “By the end of the 11 weeks, they would come in laughing and giggling,” she recalled, reflecting on the positive shifts in communication.

While still in its early stages, the CARE program has established a robust network to support youth, including a referral system designed to extend assistance beyond its scope. Howland emphasized the importance of community, stating, “It does take a village. We’re building that connectedness and helping kids build meaningful relationships with the adults in their lives.”

The innovative initiatives offered by the CARE program in Watertown are not only enhancing the lives of participating youth but are also contributing to a stronger, more connected community. As this initiative continues to grow, it is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals and their families.