Program Accomplishments

During our first year of the project, we established a separate S.O.S. identity at two program sites, one in Pima County and a second in Cochise County , to begin integrating CYFAR philosophies into existing community programs. We recruited a core group of youth at each site as active participants in organizational, planning and training sessions. Youth members, in partnership with adults representing state, county and community members, participated in hiring their program site coordinator. Youth are currently in the process of expanding membership at each site.

Progress on Integrating Community:

S.O.S. has been designed as a collaborative effort. Faculty from both Extension and University departments provide ongoing project support. Monthly planning meetings are conducted with the S.O.S. site program coordinator and community program staff. State Advisory Meetings that include youth and adult members from each site as well as community volunteers are held quarterly. In addition, faculty from both Extension and University departments have provided hands-on training opportunities for youth members, including community mapping, research and interviewing techniques, and film and media editing. In this first year, we have also formed partnerships with established organizations in each community to create a network of professionals working in support of youth. S.O.S. youth are increasing awareness of the program and its activities through presentations at state conferences.

Progress on Integrating Technology:

Establishing a strong technological base has been a focus in this first year as a way to both engage youth in the program and promote communication between the S.O.S. sites and the community. There are new computers installed at each site, equipped with software to track activities and maintain membership information. Youth from both sites collaborated on the design of the website and the S.O.S. logo. Given the distance between the two sites, much of this communication takes place online or through video conferencing. Several of the youth members have been working closely with University faculty and students, learning how to conduct community mapping with hand-held GPS Devices. This will be a major effort over the next six months.


Progress on Sustaining Program:

Each of the S.O.S. sites has been incorporated into existing program sites with ties to the local community to ensure that the S.O.S. program continues beyond the five-years of CYFAR funding. In addition, adult members of the community representing local businesses, government and youth advocates are being recruited as members of site advisory boards to provide ongoing support to the S.O.S. youth members through their experience and expertise. By addressing community issues, S.O.S. members are establishing youth/adult partnerships within their community to extend the visibility of CYFAR principles into the community.