You're invited to join our community of benefactors!
Yakima County 4-H Benefactors support the development of leadership, citizenship, and responsibility among Yakima County’s youth.
The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development
4-H helps youth excel beyond their peers – they are healthier, thrive in their academic pursuits, and make more responsible choices.
Healthy Choices
4-Hers are 2.3 times more likely to exercise and be physically active. They have significantly lower rates of drug, tobacco, and alcohol use than their peers.
Academic Success
4-Hers report better grades, higher levels of school engagement, and are nearly twice as likely to plan for college. They are also more likely to pursue science careers, especially 4-H girls.
Civic Engagement
4-H youth are 3.4 times more likely to actively contribute to their communities through volunteerism, community service, and leadership opportunities.
4-H youth are uniquely prepared to confront the challenges of a complex, changing world
Why? What makes 4-H different?
4-H focuses on youth voice! The program helps youth develop a sense of belonging, independence, generosity, and the mastery of vital life skills and knowledge aligned with their interests.
4-H member Natalie says:
4-H lets kids have fun while teaching them how to be responsible young adults that are ready to change the world. I would have never been as successful as I am today without the strong foundation in public speaking, leadership, and community engagement that I learned from this program. Overall, 4-H constructs determined individuals through the process of learning new skills and giving back to others. I am very proud to be a 4-Her.
4-H programs, staff, and volunteers offer youth a safe, supportive, and positive community in which to learn life skills and discover their passions and potential. 4-H gives youth the opportunity to thrive!
Our Local Challenges
Not every youth who wants to join 4-H has the means to do so. Financial support is needed to help growing numbers of our local youth participate in 4-H programs. With rising rates of youth mental health struggles and feelings of helplessness, youth need high quality programming opportunities that encourage the lasting development of self-esteem, self-reliance, personal responsibility, civic responsibility, and leadership ability.
Directly because of donors like you, youth in our community have access to 4-H club membership, educational workshops, programs, and leadership development events. Youth are able to engage with their peers at the local and state level to learn how make positive change in their clubs, communities, countries, and their world.
Funding is used for 4-H enrollment fee sponsorship, attendance at national summits, 4-H conference registration fees, livestock judging, basic programming supplies, postage, and other necessary materials to support the large network of dedicated volunteers who give their time and talents to mentor, lead, and support 4-H youth.
Your donation ensures that all youth who want to develop these skills with their peers have the opportunity to do so!
Yakima County 4-H Benefactors are the family members, volunteers, mentors, staff, supporters, local professionals, and businesses that have experienced the benefits of 4-H first hand or who value the skills this program allows youth to develop.
The community of 4-H supporters in Yakima County has seen our youth grow into caring, competent, confident adults with positive characters and strong connections who ultimately contribute more to their community and to the workforce for a healthier, stronger county, a stronger Washington, a stronger America, and a brighter, better world.
The Goal of the Benefactor Program
The Yakima County 4-H Council has established an ongoing 4-H Benefactor Program dedicated to meeting these critical needs. The Benefactor Program aims to raise $25,000 per year.
We seek individuals, families, and businesses that believe in the benefits of 4-H’s high quality youth development opportunities and want to show their support by making an annual donation to ensure this program’s success.
100% of donations benefit Yakima County 4-H. Donations are tax-deductible (tax ID# 23-7283286).
I'm in! What do I do next?
Firstly, thank you for your support!
Secondly, you will need to fill out the Yakima County 4-H Benefactor Pledge found in the Benefactor Brochure. The form asks for information about your pledge amount and your contact information.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Yakima County 4-H staff.
Autumn Britt, Extension Program Manager – 4-H Youth Development
autumn.britt@wsu.edu
Katlyn Shockey, Program Specialist
katlyn.shockey@co,yakima.wa.us
yakima.4h@wsu.edu
Alison White, Regional Specialist
alison.white@wsu.edu
Bonnie Abercrombie, Office Coordinator
bonnie.abercrombie@co.yakima.wa.us
4-H Youth Development Program
2403 S. 18th Street, Suite 100
Union Gap, WA 98903-1637
Phone: 509-574-1600
Fax: 509-574-1601
Cooperating agencies: Washington State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Washington counties. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.