San Luis Border 4-H Program

This summer marks the fourth year the San Luis 4-H Program, located in the southwestern corner of Arizona, has been helping Hispanic youth become better citizens.

"The San Luis Border 4-H Program provides positive youth development experiences for Hispanic youth in San Luis, Arizona," says Carole Rush, Instructional Specialist, 4-H Youth Development.

Yuma County Cooperative Extension coordinates the 4-H Youth Development Program for San Luis children ages 5 to 18 years old. The program teaches hands-on 4-H projects that build lifelong skills and help to develop each child's potential.

"The program has become an outstanding model in Arizona because of the collaboration with the city of San Luis, the local schools, the Department of Economic Security, the Job Training Partnership Act, the community, and the University of Arizona 4-H Directors who have stood behind us and helped us continue the program," says Rush.

The 4-H programs teach leadership building skills, hands-on life skill projects, character building skills, and one-on-one reading instruction.

The San Luis Border 4-H Program operates as a Summer Day Camp (June through August) and as an After-School Program (September to May). Funding is provided by The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

Last summer 142 children were enrolled in the summer 4-H Camp Program. Currently, there are 40 children participating in the after-school program. The San Luis community and the city of San Luis have provided two rooms in the Community Center, office space, phone, and use of the community kitchen. They also have provided arts and crafts supplies, sports equipment, cooking and baking supplies, gardening supplies, board games, and puzzles to enhance the program.

The Border Academy is an intensive two-week program that will examine the political, economic, and social issues shaping present-day life on the border. Presented annually by the University of Arizona Mexican American Studies and Research Center, in cooperation with the Columbia University Biosphere 2, the Border Academy will link the past with the present to provide insight into today's complex world on the border.

The Ford Foundation and The Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at The University of Arizona announce the first year of funding for research fellows-in-residence to study environmental conflict resolution (ECR) in the U.S.-Mexico border region. The Center expects to announce the fellows-in- residence for the academic year 1998-99 in mid-May 1998.

The Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy sponsors policy-relevant research and forums that link scholarship with decision-making. The Center examines the policy process and specializes in issues concerning environment and natural resources, regional economic development, healthcare, and cross- cutting issues

The United Nations reports that the application of the death penalty in the United States is tainted by racism, economic discrimination, politics, and an excessive deference to victims' rights. A UN panel subsequently called for a worldwide moratorium on capital punishment.

Diversity On-line Sites

Conferences

October 26-28, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC

"Workplace Diversity: New Challenges, New Opportunities," offered by the Society for Human Resource Management, will provide learning communities, pre-conference workshops, concurrent sessions, and a diversity exposition. This interactive conference is designed for all persons interested in diversity management and who are responsible for performing diversity training.