Page 10 - 2022 Center for Youth Development Impact Report

DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS
MINNESOTA 4-H’ERS PARTICIPATE IN YOUTH PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT ON UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAMPUS
Ramsey County 4-H, in partnership with the Moundsview School District Equity Team, piloted a youth participatory action research project with a group of nine young people. The purpose of their project was to capture how the pandemic has changed the ways families and young people think about school and family-school-youth partnerships, and consider what new opportunities have been created for such partnerships.
One of the participants, Gutu, shared that his ability to navigate conversations improved
as a result of the experience. “Being able to connect with younger peers and being more of a mentor for them that kind of builds your own confidence,” says Gutu.
Campus visits were also integrated into
their project experience, providing intentional opportunities for the youth participants to
meet current college students and faculty, share their plans for the future and explore the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus on a deeper level.
“I only really grew into my shoes and realized how important connections were when I began getting into more community roles during the pandemic, like this one, and involved myself
in my county. Without that experience, I would not be the person I am right now,” says another participant, Ava.
10 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION | CENTER FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT