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Volunteer Development

Adult volunteers play an important role in the delivery of programs for 4-H and for many other community-based youth programs. Volunteers serve as role models for youth, help youth acquire knowledge, and help them develop life skills.

As programs involve an increasing number of Latino youth, it is important that programs also attract Latino adults as volunteers. They are needed to work directly with youth, and their knowledge and perspective are needed to inform the design and delivery of culturally appropriate programs.

The key to successfully recruiting and retaining Latino adults as volunteers lies in an understanding of the Latino culture and the characteristics of the Latino community that impact volunteering. The publication Recruiting and Supporting Latino Volunteers was written to help programs develop that understanding and learn how to translate it into successful volunteer development practice.