Research by Tufts University’s Institute for Applied Research in Youth Develop- ment and America’s land-grant colleges and universities shows that people with a 4-H background are more likely to give back to their


communities than oth- ers (see Tinyurl.com/


YouthDevelopmentStudy). For Grammy-winner Jennifer Nettles, of Nashville, 4-H meant learning to perform at an early age, even flying to Chi- cago to do it. “I don’t know that I would be where I am today without 4-H,” she says. “Mentors there help you. They helped me with the skills of performing and learning about being on stage; they also taught me the importance of giving back.”


Sustainable Sustenance Growing food for themselves and others can be a great adven- ture for teens, while fostering resourcefulness, perseverance and ecological awareness. Seventeen-year-old Katie Stagliano launched Katie’s Krops, in Summerville, South Carolina, sev- eral years ago based on her desire to fight hunger by growing food for people that need it. Today, the enterprise offers grants for youth in any area to start and maintain a local garden, pro- vided they give away the produce to the hungry. The initiative has grown to more than 50 gardens around the U.S. Both Mobile Urban Growers, in Mobile, Alabama, and Closer to Earth, in Oklahoma City, empower youth through exercising organic gardening skills, environmental and food justice advocacy and personal mentorship. Empowering experiences for teens don’t have to cost a


lot or involve travel. “Dream big, but start small. Look around your own backyard, in your community,” says Borba. “Teens can learn to pay it forward in all kinds of ways. They can get together with their peers and take on a doable project to help others. They may even need to start by learning to self-regulate and manage stress by getting away from their phones and instead being outside getting exercise.” Casual family activities can provide opportunities for


conversations about what teens want in life or what they’re worried about, and that opens the door for adults to step up to help mentor and empower their children. “Boys are more likely to talk while they’re doing something, like shooting baskets with you in the driveway,” observes Borba. “Girls are more likely to talk if it’s one-on-one.” Positive parents actively listen and then clarify what they heard from their teens, says Herman-Saccio. This information helps point the way forward, to more interactive dialogue, brainstorming, problem-solving, helpful experiences and even- tually, youth empowerment.


Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot. com from Overland Park, KS.


22 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA HealthyLehighValley.com


EMPOWERMENT STARTS EARLY


Positive parenting skills go hand-in-hand with children learn- ing how to be their best. Kids can get an early start at pro- grams like these.


SCHOOLS


Waldorf Schools Learning by doing and in-depth, self-paced study are hall- marks of Waldorf schools across the country.


Circle of Seasons Charter School, a Waldorf-methods public school, in Fogelsville, Pennsyl- vania, offers a head start on empowerment for K–4 students (CircleOfSeasons.org).


Semillas para una Nueva Humanidad, a Waldorf-Methods School near Rincon, Puerto Rico, encourages independent learning for K–12 students. (SNHPuertoRico.org/en/about-us).


The Natural Learning School, in Memphis, Tennessee, guides toddlers through elementary school kids with whole-child education, including arts and green learning (NLSMemphis.com).


PROGRAMS


Women Empowerment, in Vail, Colorado, specializes in pro- grams for women and girls. A Chrysalis Circle helps girls ex- plore the woman blossoming within them during a weeklong day camp adventure that includes rock climbing, kayaking and other activities. The Heart 2 Heart Mother/Daughter Re- treat helps moms and their girls rediscover or strengthen their connection (see Tinyurl.com/WomenEmpowerPrograms).


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