4-H Warren Advocating for Youth (W.A.Y.)
Mission
4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The mission of 4-H is to provide meaningful opportunities for all youth and adults to work together to create sustainable community change.
The mission of 4-H W.A.Y. is to “empower the youth of Warren County TODAY, to make them better TOMORROW”
Programs & Activities
Education Empowerment Sessions
We offer programs and activities that promote development and social skills: identifying strengths and weaknesses, effective communication, decision making, conflict resolution, etc. These programs are available to youth and their parents/guardians. Various partnerships enable us to cover more topics to empower the entire family to become a more cohesive unit.
We utilize an evidence-based curriculum for our empowerment sessions, Overcoming Obstacles, and selective research-based 4-H curriculum. Beginning with essential communication, decision making, and goal setting skills, Overcoming Obstacles covers 25 additional skills, including:
- Anger management
- Bullying prevention
- Career preparation
- College preparation
- Confidence Understanding diversity Financial management*
- Leadership Personal health Problem solving
- Responsibility
- Self-esteem Service learning
- Stress management
- Study skills
- Time management
List of Services
Community Service Restitution Program
Connects court-involved youth to meaningful community service and restitution opportunities that enhance social skills, facilitate connections with positive adults in the community, promote civic engagement and help participants develop a more positive sense of self.
Youth are referred by juvenile court counselors, or from our teen court program to complete mandatory community service sanctions.
4-H Teen Court
Teen Court is a court where first-time offenders are tried by their peers for misdemeanor offenses. Offenders admit guilt or responsibility and are held accountable for their actions. Student volunteers take the roles of clerks, bailiffs, attorneys, and jurors. Local Judges and attorneys volunteer to serve as Teen Court Judges.
Teen Court is a hands-on opportunity for offenders and volunteers to learn about the legal system. Youth are empowered to constructively find ways to reduce crime and violence in their schools and community. Both middle and high school students are needed as volunteers in Teen Court. Student offenders may be referred to Teen Court by School Resource Officers for such misdemeanors as; disorderly conduct by fighting (resulting in no serious injuries), vandalism, possession of alcohol or drugs, possession of a weapon (no guns) on campus, communicating threats and many others.
4-H W.A.Y Mentoring
Young people are matched with a trained, caring mentor who provides friendship and support to help them navigate life and make healthy life choices.We are committed to providing an environment which fosters belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery among mentors, youth and families.
Volunteer Opportunities
4-H Teen Court Volunteers
- Teen Volunteers
Youth in grades 6-12 are eligible to apply to be a 4-H youth volunteer. Through this opportunity students will be able to enhance leadership skills through trainings, meetings, and group activities.
All applicants are expected to: Participate in any required training; carry out judges’ instructions; insure confidentiality of hearings; treat ALL participants with RESPECT; and follow all Teen Court rules – dress code, professionalism, etc.
- Adult Volunteers
Adults volunteers are needed to assist with various duties with our 4-H Teen Court program. Positions include: judge, mentor attorney, jury monitors, exit interviewers, and volunteer trainers.
Due to the nature of the program, all adult volunteers will have to submit to a criminal background check. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any criminal activity that would be a direct conflict with this program type or with providing service to juveniles shall eliminate an applicant volunteer from consideration.
Community Service & Restitution Volunteers
- Worksite Supervisors
Supervise program youth at worksite to completed mandated community service hours
The Worksite Supervisor agrees to:
1. Only approve and assign adults who have had criminal background checks and are appropriate to supervise youth performing community service work.
2. provide safe work assignments that cohere to the North Carolina Child Labor Laws
3. provide tools and materials for the job assignment if not provided by the community service program,
4. provide supervision of youth in the absence of community service staff to ensure productivity and that work assignments are safely being completed,
5. treat youth with dignity and respect,
6. ensure that medical treatment is taken in the event of an emergency or injury and that notification is made immediately to community service program (medical treatment defined as treatment of a minor injury or in a situation that an emergency response is required by trained professionals
4-H Mentoring
- Adult Volunteers
Mentor Commitments:
- Must commit to at least one full year of mentoring:
• Research has shown that having a mentor for less than a year can be more harmful than helpful. This year commitment must be taken very seriously, as many of these youth have abandonment issues, or can easily develop them if paired with a mentor who leaves too soon.
2. Meet with the youth they are paired with once a week for about an hour
• If you miss a week occasionally it is not a big deal, please be sure to communicate with your mentee and the family.
3. Have a reliable form of transportation to get to your mentee.
4. Complete the 4-H volunteer application (including background check)
Interested in Volunteering contact (252) 257-3640 or visit https://nc.4honline.com
More Information
For more information on these services or the 4-H W.A.Y. program, please reach out to:
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Warren County Center
158 Rafters Lane
Warrenton, NC 27589
(252) 257-3640 (office)