Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, May 11, 1978, Image 14

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    4-H PROGRESS LINKED TO CHANGE
"Times have changed - and 4-H is marching to
the tune of a different drummer."
The inner cities of America have discovered
the 4-H program, and 4-H has responded with on
enthusiastic, "right on."
The Urban program in Portland began in the
summer of 1970. At that time two staff members,
Tom Williams and Betty Hardy, were breathing
life into the program which has grown since that
time from a membership of 100 young people of
the Albina community, to between 2,700 and
3,000 youths.
Since 1970, the 4-H staff has increased to five,
and is directed by Ira D. Mumford, OSU extension
agent StaH members are Betty Hardy, Nor-
Thorsen, Joyce Payne and Patty Baum.
PREFARE FOR THE
FUTURE
Job Education
The high school program is a job education
project. Students ore mode aware of career
opportunities and are prepared for job interviews
and
responsibilities.
Growth an d Developm ent
4-H is not new to, the country. It was
Coordinating programs in thirteen grode . established in early 190) by the Department of
schools, two high schools and four community
Agriculture to assist formers and pioneer settlers
centers, 4-H continues to grow and develop new
from coast to coast.
programs and opportunities for the youth of
During those anxious and frustrating days of
Portland's inner-city.
pioneering the vast lands of the notion, "people
Young people receive instruction in arts and
problems were met and olleviated as a part of
crafts, nutrition, sewing, photography, pet care,
the function of the government.
dance, plant growing, grooming, cultural studies,
The ogency known as 4-H recognized the
journalism and personal finance. And there is
Hearts", the "hands", the "heads" and
still room to growl
health of the people.
Since that time, the need for 4-H has become
more and more evident within the inner cities of
America, where families, raising their children
ond establishing homes, ore faced with a
different set of social and economic problems.
The Portland 4-H program in the inner city,
under the auspices of federal, county, city and
state government, and working with Oregon
State University, Corvallis, can be summed up in
one word: expansion.
The 4-H choral ensemble was organized in the
first year, 1970, and gained widespread recogni­
tion within the community. The singers perform­
ed at churches, foirs, shopping centers and
special events all over the state.
The choral ensemble helped to establish the
4-H program as a tangible alternative for
youngsters. The program began working in the
schools, then quickly spread to the community
centers, churches ond homes.
Key to Success
A key to the program's success, according to
Ira D Mumford, extension agent, is flexibility.
"Everything has been tried. . from karate to
puppetry, from drama to plant and soil develop­
ment, from journalism to folk doncing, and all
with encouraging results and response from the
community."
Groups and clubs meet during school, after
school ond in the evening, with volunteer
leadership from odults ond older youth. Pro­
grams are for youngsters from eight to nineteen,
ond the only prerequisite to membership is to be
registered with the Urban 4-H Center, 4815 N.E.
7th Avenue, Portland.
Year Round Program
4-H believes in on on-going year round
program to meet it's established goals; assisting
young people in their efforts to gain confidence,
select coreers and look forward to hoppy and
successful futures.
As the more than 100 project areas of Urban
4-H develop, it is the hope of the members and
staff that leoders will continue to volunteer their
time and talents to provide new growth in the
future. "If you like children, you'll love helping
them as port of the inner-city 4-H program,"
urges Ira Mumford.
Anyone over eighteen, teochers, parents,
students and senior citizens, ore invited to
contact the Center by colling 287-1770, or visit the
Urban office at 4815 N.E. 7th Avenue.
We II be here to greet you and give you a
personal look at what 4-H can, and is doing for
the young people of the community."
MUSIC - THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE:
One of the first youth programs for young people
of the inner-city, Portland, was the Choral
Ensemble, organized in 1970, with 22 vocalists
under the direction of Ira D. Mumford. Since that
time they hove brouaht music to every county in
Oregon, singing at community churches, ban­
quets. school programs and special events.
urtdreds were in the audience at Washington
Park last summer when the Choral Ensemble was
eatured Membership is open to 4-H members
and leoders. CAII 287-1770.
all Seasons
10 Years O f Service To The N ortheast Community
Resident«! Vare f e n titie s 28AAM6
Y A V N I 5037 N JE. 9th Ave. 2M-7929
Y A V N O 5 1 » N JE. Rednev » 1 7 5 »
HIGHLAND COMMUNITY SERVICES
» 1 5 NJE. 7th Avenue
Portland. Oregon
Phone » 7 9623
YAUN (Youth)
Child Care Centers
» 1 5 N .E . 7th Ave. »1-6936
Serving the need, of mentally retarded
and deveiopmentally di.turbed adult.
H ig h lan d A dult
C on gratu late U rb a n 4 -H For It’s O utstanding Program
Activities Program