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Washington County Demonstration Site

Program Description

Staff Contact: Lisa Conroy

Washington County is characterized by both urban density and quiet rural settings. One of the state's most rapidly developing areas, the county's principal industries are agriculture, manufacturing, food processing, and electronics. In recent years the county has experienced a significant increase in the Latino population. In 1997 The Oregonian newspaper reported an 86% K-12 dropout rate for Latino youth in Washington County schools.

During the fall of 1998, Washington County 4-H Extension convened a series of focus groups and conducted individual interviews to explore community needs relating to Latino youth. Involved were youth, school and agency personnel, parents, juvenile counselors, and community opinion leaders. The recommendation that emerged from these sessions was to develop relationships with Latino youth and find out what they were interested in, then develop programs that addressed those interests using culturally appropriate methodologies. After several months of gathering data, three mentor-style programs were selected—Web Wizards, which focuses on computer and Internet technology; the Video and Media Arts Project; and a summer day camp program for children in elementary school. Web Wizards was the first program to be implemented with pilot testing during the spring of 1999. The Summer Day Camp program was offered for the first time during the summer of 1999, and the Video and Media Arts Project was introduced during the fall of 1999.

4-H Web Wizards is a computer, Internet, and media technology after school program offered twice weekly. By 2002 the program had expanded to include three high schools, a middle school, an two community computer labs. 4-H Web Wizards is designed to teach leading edge computer and Internet technologies, workplace skills, and the value of volunteerism. Also included in the curriculum are goal setting, problem solving, decision-making, effective communication, and other life skills. Latino adult mentors from the Intel Corporation's Latino Network teach the bilingual classes. High school students identified as at risk of dropping out of school are referred to the program by teachers. After achieving basic competencies, participating students volunteer 15 hours of community service to mentor Latino middle school students, as well as Latino adults and family groups at local libraries and community centers, all under the supervision of their adult mentors. Each year a new Web Wizards cohort group begins the basic program. Completing students move on to advanced and specialized skills. In 2001, students assisted with the launch of CyberSeniors/CyberTeens, a national collaborative project of the USDA, Veterans Administration, AARP, NRTA, 4-H, and the 4-H Web Wizards, where teens help seniors and veterans learn basic computer and Internet skills. Web Wizards have continued their involvement in this effort through local libraries. Also in 2001, advanced Web Wizards began a streaming video project, assisting the rural community of Boardman in Eastern Oregon by constructing a bilingual website to export technical expertise and curriculum to Boardman's community technology program center. The website contains basic curriculum as well as related information, such as Cómo a Comprar una Computadora (How to Buy a Computer).

Web Wizards are eligible to earn high school credits throughout the program. Former Web Wizards attending Portland Community College receive college credit for returning to their communities to mentor beginning Web Wizards. More information is available on the program's Web site http://www.4-hwebwizards.org/

The 4-H Video and Media Arts Project provides an opportunity for Latino high school youth to learn video production techniques including production planning and the operation of video, audio, lighting, and editing equipment. After completing the basic class, students are eligible to continue with the advanced course and also have the opportunity to gain leadership experience by teaching video and media skills to peers and middle school students. Both courses earn high school credits. Participants also volunteer 10 hours on projects to practice the skills they are learning as well as to experiment with creative ideas. In 1999-2000, students produced a 30-minute video and study guide dealing with culturally relevant issues (discrimination, bad influences, drugs, and identity) they face in their school lives. The video and guide were used by high school teachers with their classes and also with student-facilitated parent and community groups throughout the county. A special project in 2001 was the creation of a mural to be used as a backdrop for video productions. Students learned about the folk art of muralism from a traditional artist, then developed a concept, theme, and design while exploring different areas of their own cultures. Three 5' x 6' panels were created, each reflecting student life experiences. In 2002 students learned about computer applications in video production.

The bilingual Summer Day Camp provides active learning afternoons for children in grades K-6. In 2002, for example, the camp focused on the history, geography, culture, tradition, and values of four generalized cultures: Asian, Indigenous, South American, and Mexican. It also incorporated an overview of 4-H projects available to local youth through a variety of recreational, educational, and artistic activities. Additionally, the 112 K-6 campers spent half of each session in a portable computer lab, using computer microscopes and digital web cameras. Activities were led by camp staff as well as by adult and teen 4-H volunteers and resource people from the community. The camp met five days a week, 2-5 hours per day, for seven weeks.

Partners for the overall project have included the Intel Corporation, the Intel Latino Network, the Juan Young Trust, Tualatin Valley Community Access Television, the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce, local school districts, local libraries, Portland Community College, Centro Cultural, Hillsboro Parks and Recreation, the Spirit Mountain Foundation, IBM, Beaverton PAL (Police Assistance League), and the I Have a Dream Foundation.

[The above text describes Oregon Outreach activities in Washington County during the 5-year span of the CYFAR State-Strengthening Grant that ended in 2002. For information about more recent activities, contact the OSU Extension staff member identified at the top of the page.]

For more program details, see Key Outcomes.