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Community Information

Name

Marshalltown, Iowa - Marshall County

Location

2608 S. 2nd St. Suite E. Marshalltown IA 50158

Outcome

Teen

Geographical Type

Rural/small town

Organizations

4

Market Statement

Program Implementation

Following the Salir Adelante: Pathways for Our Future sessions that concluded in November 2023, 15 youth (7 cohort 1, 8 new youth) began participation in the 4-H Career Pathways Academy (CPA). The six 4-H CPA sessions were held monthly (Jan-June, 2024) and youth explored careers in technology, health care, finance/banking, and agriculture, as well as entrepreneurship through hands-on learning experiences facilitated by extension educators and local professionals at businesses, a bank, community college and other organizations. Youth completed a career assessment using an iPad and then explored information about their interests via an iPad. Youth also explored career interest through job shadowing experiences in the community. Youth increased their financial literacy via the session at Farmers State Bank where they leaned about credit and different types of retirement plans and savings accounts. During another session held in partnership with the IowaWorks program, youth learned about developing a resume and interviewing for a job via a presentation and hands-on learning activities facilitated by a Career Planner. .Youth participated in multiple service activities including preparing meals for residents at the House of Compassion, presenting information about sugary beverages and unhealthy fats during a student-led health fair, making seed balls and planting trees at Otter Creek Lake and Park, and engaging younger youth in soccer skill building activities. Youth participated in the county and state fairs by engaging families in STEM related activities at the fair. Youth participated in a food camp led by a 4-H Specialist in which they explored cultural traditions related to food and their cultural roots, practiced preparing food. Latino owned grocery stores and a restaurant provided food ingredients for the camp. A 4-H Career Pathways Club was formed and has 27 members. Three youth strengthened their leadership skills and were further engaged in 4-H through participating in the 4-H Connect Retreat. A youth shared, “I really enjoyed coming to 4-H Connect, I made new friends and liked the activities planned, will be inviting more of my friends next year”. 12 youth and their parents (cohort 2) participated in the Salir Adelante family workshop series facilitated by school staff, the CYFAR project Youth and Family Coordinator, and an Extension 4-H Specialist. During one session, the University of Iowa and Simpson college staff shared information about their institutions and scholarship opportunities. Local Latino owned restaurants and grocery stores provided meals and gift cards to purchase food for project activities. GEAR UP Iowa provided funding to also support food as well as transportation to project activities. Youth learned about postsecondary options by visiting Marshalltown Community College and Iowa State University. During a community health promotion event youth assisted by preparing smoothies and facilitating STEM activities with refugee youth. Two County Extension Educators (4-H County Youth Coordinator, Americorp worker) provided in-kind time to assist with project activities. The County Extension Director provides overall leadership for the local project.

Community Integration

Four members of the community advisory committee met during the year to provide input to guide program activities and partnership development. Marshalltown Community College staff provided a campus tour for youth in the project and assisted them in learning about career options via training programs they offer, as well as information related to associate degrees. The director of the Marshalltown Education Partnership (MEP) who works at the community college met with youth to share her educational journey and opportunities via the community college. Local restaurants and grocery stores, provided meals and food, and the local GEAR UP Iowa program provided funding to help support food and travel to project activities. Multiple volunteers and two extension staff helped to organize and facilitate Salir Adelante, as well as promote the project in the community. Advisory team members, an extension council member, the regional director, and CYFAR project staff participated in the CYFAR site visit and shared strengths and areas of improvement for the local project. During the site visit, two local Latino owned grocery stores met with the local and campus project staff and Vice President of Extension and Outreach to share their experiences with and perspectives related to the value of the project.

Technology Integration

Youth used iPads to complete an assessment on career interests and then explored webpages to learn more about their interests. Youth and parents completed pre- and post-surveys via a QR code using their cell phones or an iPad. Monthly virtual meetings were held with project staff (campus, local sites). Youth used cell phones to calculate their GPAs as part of a project activity.

Sustaining

Partnerships continue to be developed with organizations who have mutual interests (e.g., school, community college, local businesses) and complementary goals to this project. Volunteers are trained and co-facilitate ¡Salir Adelante! with extension staff. Local businesses and organizations provide expertise and space to implement the 4-H Career Pathways Academy sessions. Local school provide staff time and space to implement ¡Salir Adelante!. Local businesses (restaurants, grocery stores) provided resources to assist with project activities. Extension councils provide funds to support project materials, secretarial support, and contribute .50FTE to increase the CYFAR Youth and Family Coordinator position to full-time. This additional time is devoted to linking families to additional programming (e.g., parenting, nutrition). At the end of the project period, the extension council plans to build in a minimum of .50FTE to support the educator position. The Vice President for ISU Extension and Outreach and other extension staff increased their understanding of and impacts of the project via a CYFAR site visit.

Form A - Age Group by Ethnicity and Race

	Pre-K	K-6	Youth (Grades 7-12)	Parents
Total Participants	0	0	28	25
Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino	0	0	28	25
Not Hispanic or Latino	0	0	0	0
Race
White	0	0	28	25
Black or African-American	0	0	0	0
American Indian or Alaska Native	0	0	0	0
Asian	0	0	0	0
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0	0	0	0
Persons indicating more than one race	0	0	0	0

Form B - Poverty Risk Factor

Total Number of Children Pre K: 0

Percent in Poverty: 0.00%

Total Number of Children K - 6: 0

Percent in Poverty: 0.00%

Total Number Youth Grade 7 - 12: 28

Percent in Poverty: 74.40%

Form C - Staff and Volunteers by Ethnicity/Race

	Extension Staff (FTE's)	Other Paid CYFAR Project Staff (FTE's)	Youth Volunteers	Adult Volunteers
Total Participants	0.50	0.50	15.00	15.00
Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino	1.00	2.00	15.00	14.00
Not Hispanic or Latino	0.00	2.00	0.00	1.00
Race
White	1.00	4.00	15.00	15.00
Black or African-American	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
American Indian or Alaska Native	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Asian	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Persons indicating more than one race	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

Approximate hours contributed by Adult Volunteers: 200.00

Approximate hours contributed by Youth Volunteers:200.00

Form D - Computers and Technology

Computers at all sites funded through sources other than CYFAR: 13

Form E - Youth Delivery Methods and Program Contents

Form F - Adult Delivery Methods and Program Contents

Form G - 4-H Clubs

Total Number of Clubs: 1

Total Number of Children K - 6: 0

Total Number of Youth Grades 7 - 12: 27

Total Number of Youth Volunteers 0

Total Number of Adult Volunteers 35