Northside Ithaca Programs

2021 4-H Urban Outreach Summer Program

The 4-H Urban Outreach Program works to increase the level of literacy for youth, by providing a free, dynamic and fun program for youth. Youth receive literacy support and reading in every program. Educators read with the children every day, and this is an important part of the program for many youths. The Tompkins County Library staff read with the children, provide library access and field trips for your and a generous grant from the Friends of the Library will provide youth with new books this summer. The Program works with community partners to bring together a diverse array of people and resources to provide free, inclusive enrichment programs to help under-served youth achieve reading, science, technology, engineering and math competencies. We provide a safe place for youth to receive literacy support, play, exercise, make art, receive academic enrichment and enjoy nutritious food together. Our Northside Summer program begins soon.

Location: Northside Community Room

Date: July 6- July 7, 2021

Days: Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday

Time: 2:30- 4:30PM

Ages: 5-18

Who can Attend: Open only to youth living in Apartments owned by the Ithaca Housing Authority Apartments

Space is limited. Contact Ramona Cornell to enroll at: rlc263@cornell.edu

This Summer, youth will attend field trips on Discover Cayuga Lake’s Floating Classroom. Youth will learn about the value of the Cayuga Lake, participate in citizen science water projects and how they can be a part of protecting the health of the lake. The Free Science Workshop, Inc. will continue to work with the children where they live and at the Free Science Workshop, Inc. this summer. The Free Science Workshop, Inc. has continued to create dynamic STEM programs and access for the children in the community throughout the pandemic. Youth will also be attending field trips to local state parks and the Learning Farm this summer.

The TRIAD Foundation, Social Service League, J.M. McDonald Foundation, United Way, Legacy Foundation, Wegman's and Aldis awarded grants to help purchase food, safety and educational supplies, transportation for field trips and provide professional educators for the children in our summer after-school programs. Tompkins County Youth Services, the Community Foundation of Ithaca, The Park Foundation and the Ithaca Housing Authority provided financial support in 2021 to help pay for professional educators and program assistants to teach youth traditional 4-H science, life and art skills including: cooking and nutrition education, painting, weaving, sewing, first aid kits, kite and rockets making, hula hoops and making tie-dye t-shirts.

The children will work with Words to Deeds to participate in a youth summit that includes children from Ghana. Youth will focus on UN initiatives and learn how they can conserve and re-use resources, including a field trip to the Re-Use store for youth and their families and a youth led Re-Use fashion show. Project goals include understanding the environmental value of Re-Use and youth will also learn how to calculate their carbon footprints.

School Year Program will begin September 2021

In the Fall, Cornell Cooperative Extension SNAP Program educators will continue to provide multiple nutrition programs for youth to build healthy living, nutrition and cooking skills. Dr. Aigbokhan Aloja Airewele, Director of the CCE-TC Energy Warriors, will volunteer to share Nigerian history, culture, stories, music and dance with the children. Rob Weinberg will continue to teach chess strategies and lessons to the children this summer and fall. The Teens are looking forward to continuing their job and career skill lessons with Coltivare and TC3 this fall. Younger children are looking forward to going to Indian Creek Farm to learn New York apple farms and pick their own apples.

Last updated January 24, 2024