Reaffirming 4-H’s Promise to Youth
Dear 4-H Community,
Like many others in our nation and the world, we’ve been watching, reflecting upon, and seeking to understand current and historic patterns of racial injustices. Okanogan County 4-H, along with our county Extension office, statewide 4-H, WSU Extension, and our broader parent organizations of Washington State University and National 4-H stand firm in our promise of belonging to all youth and are not interested in offering empty words. We are dedicated to continuing and building upon the equity and inclusion initiatives we already have underway regarding hiring practices, volunteer recruitment, culturally relevant youth programming, removal of participation barriers, and consistent application of practices that nurture safe and welcoming environments for all youth—especially Black, Indigenous, youth of color.
Please see the letter and resources linked above for more information about how we are and will continue taking action to combat racial inequities within our program. We wholeheartedly invite you all to join us in these efforts–combining our experiences, perspectives, creativity, and persistence for our clubs, our communities, our country, and our world.
Warmly,
WSU Okanogan County 4-H Youth Development
Angelyn Sheppard, WSU Okanogan 4-H Program Extension Coordinator
Kayla Wells, WSU Okanogan County Extension Director
July 13, 2020