The Monroe County 4-H is seeking to enhance the 4-H experience for the youth of our county. It is our mission to provide hands-on experiences and learning as an educational method that directly involves the learner, by actively encouraging them to do something in order to learn about it. In short, “learning by doing”. In order to provide the students of our county with the best possible education, we are seeking funding to provide the program materials necessary.
2018
HIPPY Conecuh
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is an evidenced-based program that works with families in the home to support parents in their critical role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
HIPPY strengthens communities and families by empowering parents to actively prepare their children for success in school. Parents are provided with a set of carefully developed curriculum, books and materials designed to strengthen their children’s cognitive skills, early literacy skills, social/emotional and physical development.
HIPPY programs serve families from diverse ethnic and geographic groups across the nation, particularly those most at risk because of poverty, parents’ limited education and social isolation.
The Bogue Chitto Revitalization Cultural Enrichment Project
The Boguechitto Community Development Foundation, Inc. (“BCDF”) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation organized in Dallas County, Marion Junction, Alabama, for the purpose of general development of the community to include building and running a community center, running senior citizen nutritional and activity programs, youth development, after school tutoring, and summer art/music enrichment & literacy camp.
The foundation is concerned about the community development. We have partnered with the Dallas County Commission, Dallas County Extension System, and the Ala-Tom RC&D Council for assistance. There is not an educational or activity center, no corner store, gas station, fire department, grocery store nor a community center. Therefore, The BCDF is using the facility at the New Vernon CP Church for summer camp and other activities. The foundation purchased two acres of land to develop for the community. We have had the property excavated, trees and tree stumps removed. We are now ready to begin phase 3 of our project to build the foundation up to build a Regional Cultural Enrichment Educational Campus with a walking trail and volunteer fire department. This facility will provide service for underserved senior citizens and youth in Marion Junction, Marion, Uniontown, Safford, Orrville, Beloit, Alberta, and other surrounding areas.
Community Enhancement
This project was to increase the quality of life for the residents of Monroe County, Alabama and its surrounding areas by providing reliable broadband services to the Monroe County Public Library, the Monroeville/Monroe County Community Development Corporation (MMCCDC), and the Monroeville/Monroe County Economic Development Authority.
Jefferson Community Club Kitchen Renovation
Jefferson Community Club’s kitchen was in desperate need of repairs and upgrades to continue to accommodate the many functions that take place at the facility throughout the year. In fact, outlining a time frame for construction posed a challenge because of the growing number of events on the calendar. We planned for many months, fine-tuned our budget, and made preparations for essentially gutting the small kitchen to replace its materials and fixtures with commercial food service grade furnishings that would allow for better traffic flow, functionality, energy efficiency, and a clean, safe work space. After those months of planning, we completed the work of the project from demolition to completion in less than two weeks, with the commitment of approximately 10 volunteers who gave nearly 300 hours of community service. The construction and repair work includes demolition, replacing rotting floors with new plywood and overlay of roll vinyl, removal of old bowed paneling, addition of insulation and new wall sheathing, updated and upgraded electrical outlets and plumbing, refinished ceiling, installation of fiberglass reinforced panels on the wall, and approximately 40′ of stainless work tables and double sink. The outdated and out of service appliances have been replaced with energy efficient models that match the clean commercial design of the kitchen.
In the past, this kitchen was a tight space for sometimes upward of 15 individuals working in the kitchen at large scale events like barbecues, and old features and installations did not accommodate this level of service volunteers. With the new design and new fixtures, the kitchen offers more work space, more floor space, and an easy-to-maintain facility that is expected to last many years to come. This project’s greatest assets have been financial support from ALA-TOM RC&D and volunteer service from members of the community.