The Inspiring 4-H Challenged Me program

During the 2016 Eastern Michigan State Fair, the 4-H Challenged Me program gave mild to severely disabled children from Lapeer, Macomb, Tuscola and Sanilac counties the chance to show livestock. The program had 17 members and 19 coaches who taught them how to handle, train, show and care for the animals. Two innovative 4-H alumni, Tiffany Howell and Michelle Peel, teamed up with the local intermediate school district social worker and the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension 4-H program coordinator, Kathy George, to set the program in motion. In January, the 4-H Challenged Me Club was chosen as a Program of Excellence by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Read the full story, “4-H Challenged Me helps kids make a new connection,” by Laura Scott, and see the photos on the MSU Extension website. Let it challenge us to think about ways we can reach people of all ages who have special needs or are underserved.

Reaching diverse audiences in southeastern Michigan

One of our values at Michigan State University Extension is the commitment to reaching out to diverse clientele and finding ways to adapt our content to their needs. Our programs reach participants in diverse communities across this state, including a recent health and nutrition series for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program taught in Spanish in southeastern Michigan.

After the series was done, testimonials were recorded in Spanish, to allow the participants to express what they learned, and the success they’ve had in applying the health and nutrition principles to their day-to-day lives. (Interviews are in Spanish with English subtitles.) The videos were produced by ANR Communications.

Interview with Sheryle:
Interview with Adan:

Our commitment to Michigan individuals and families extends to many diverse audiences, and it’s exciting to see the people whose lives flourish when we focus on reaching them.

Money management classes taught in the deaf community

One of our values at Michigan State University Extension is the commitment to reaching out to diverse clientele and finding ways to adapt our content to their needs. This November, Wanda Roberts, Extension educator in Oakland County with the Financial and Homeownership Education Team, taught a Money Management Workshop Series at Faith Assembly Deaf Church in Pontiac.

The program reached 21 people who are deaf, three who are deaf and blind, and three who are hard of hearing. The program engaged eight sign language interpreters each week to work with the group. Topics presented during the series included making money decisions, creating and managing a spending plan, managing credit and debt, as well as saving and investing.

The participant feedback was very positive. Two participant responses follow:

• I enjoyed learning. I’m prepared for the future. I can now protect myself and my family. The three classes were worth it! Many deaf and hard of hearing wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn these details.
• I’m very impressed since I actually understood all of it. I’m not even anxious a bit. I like the way the instructor was patient with all questions and was open about our concerns.

Our commitment to Michigan individuals and families extends to many diverse audiences, and it’s exciting to see how the partnerships we make can help facilitate that.

Extension diversity conference boasts variety of workshops

There are many reasons to attend the Tri-State Diversity Conference Feb 10-11 at the Cincinnati Airport Marriott in Hebron, Ky. There’s the fact that this year’s theme is “Lens of Diversity,” and it features internationally known teacher, lecturer and diversity trainer Jane Elliott, who will engage the audience in her famous interactive exercise Blue/Brown Eyes. There’s also a great line-up of workshops that are offered this year, including “Exploring Cultural Competency through the Lens of Class and Classism” presented by Karen Pace, Michigan State University Extension program leader, and Dionardo Pizaña, Extension specialist. Karen and Dionardo have attended and presented at the diversity conference for the past two years. They’ve also been invited to present an additional pre-conference workshop this year, “Leadership in Dealing With Difficult Multicultural Discussions.”

 And if those are not enough reasons to attend, two $500 scholarships are being offered to assist MSUE staff members in attending the conference. The money will help cover registration, lodging, meals and partial travel. The scholarships will be offered on a first-come basis. The scholarships are being funded by the fee that Dionardo and Karen are being paid for offering the pre-conference workshop. What a fantastic example of the leadership they provide for MSUE!

 If you’re interested in the scholarships, or you just want more information, contact Dionardo Pizaña at pizanad@msu.edu. For more information about the conference, visit http://ces.ca.uky.edu/tristatediversityconference/.

There’s still room in Opening Doors

Opening Doors, a workshop presented by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Office of Diversity and Pluralism, is a unique opportunity for Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) staff members to increase their diversity awareness and learn how to create an inclusive organization. The next workshop will be held May 19–21, 2010, at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, Mich. The cost is $100 for MSUE faculty and staff. I know this is a busy time of year for many of us, but if you can work these dates into your calendar, it will be well worth the experience. Based on reviews from previous participants, I’m confident that this will be the professional development highlight of your year.

 This overnight, three-day retreat lays the foundation for personal and organizational growth. Participants will address how they personally can make a difference within our organization and in communities across Michigan.

For more information and to register, please visit Opening Doors workshop on the Office of Diversity and Pluralism’s events page.

Diversity workshop opportunity

Dealing with issues related to diversity in the workplace challenges all of us. We can always benefit from honing our awareness and skills in fostering a diverse and inclusive organization, whatever career stage or role you currently hold. The Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Office of Diversity and Pluralism Opening Doors Workshop is an effective opportunity to dramatically impact how our organization operates and interacts. Through this workshop participants explore a framework that deepens their diversity awareness and enhances their ability to create inclusive organizations.

 Please consider participating in the next workshop to be held Wednesday, May 19 through Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, Mich. The cost is $100 for Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) employees and $200 to other MSU staff. Non-MSU partners may attend for a $500 fee.

 A brochure with additional information and registration is available on the Office of Diversity and Pluralism Web site at http://odp.anr.msu.edu/ (under “Events”) or by clicking here.

MSU employees please register at: http://web2.msue.msu.edu/odp/.

For more information, please contact Brenda Alston-Mills, Ph.D., associate dean and director, CANR Office of Diversity and Pluralism, (517)432-1349.