History

Assets Coming Together for Youth (ACT) began in Jefferson County in 2000 as a youth and community development initiative. It was the result of the collaboration and collective vision of many key members of the community.

From the beginning, the goals of ACT included increasing opportunities, supports, and services for youth, increasing youth voice and youth engagement in the county and effecting change within organizations and the community as a whole. Since its inception, ACT has worked closely and in collaboration with the Jefferson County Youth Bureau and Communities That Care (CTC) as well as other community organizations to influence and grow positive youth development opportunities and efforts throughout the county.

Planned Work

ACT II in Jefferson County proposes a comprehensive model of youth and community development built on the foundation of work and expertise of the initial ACT for Youth program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County (CCE). Working with twelve collaborating partners, the Initiative will engage the following sectors of the community: youth, schools, government, businesses, military housing neighborhoods, and youth serving organizations.

Strategies and activities focus on providing youth with opportunities and supports to build developmental assets and have positive experiences, while also improving the environment in which youth connect to their community.

The Collaborators

Collaborators represent unique sectors of the community and bring depth and breadth to the Initiative through their networks and affiliations, and through their commitment to improving outcomes for youth in Jefferson County. The resources and experience of the collaborators in this Initiative are:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County is a community-based, non-profit, educational organization whose mission is to educate youth, families, farmers, and communities using research-based knowledge for practical application and life-long learning. It has demonstrated its success and ability to provide a rich environment for youth that recognizes their abilities, and in building community partnerships that increase opportunities and support.

The Jefferson County Youth Bureau has been providing funding for youth programs in Jefferson County since 1985. The mission of the Youth Bureau is to provide, promote, and expand opportunities for the positive development of children and youth. (Contact Ginny Harrington, director, at GinnyH@co.jefferson.ny.us.)

The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council has been the lead agency for the Communities That Care project since 1998. It has broad support from community and human service organizations.

The Watertown Wizards, a New York Collegiate Baseball League team, is a unique collaborator with extensive ties to the business community through its more than 50 local business sponsors.

The Center for Community Studies at Jefferson Community College conducts community-based research and provides a forum for the productive discussion of ideas and issues of significance.

The Community and Rural Development Institute of Cornell University works to strengthen and support New York's local communities and citizens. Its Community and Economic Development Toolbox serves to increase knowledge about community and economic development issues and has an extensive Community Youth Development component.

The Tug Hill Commission is a regional New York State agency, providing technical assistance to local governments and economic development organizations, including skill development through workshops and issue papers on a variety of topics.

Jefferson County Public Health Service provides public health services and community health education, and serves as the lead agency for the Steps to a Healthier NY project.

The Watertown Teen Center has programs that draw youth who are at risk for failure in school, involved in drug and alcohol abuse and juvenile crime.

The Watertown Family YMCA provides leadership and civic engagement programs to youth.

The Thousand Islands Girl Scouts Council works to inspire girls in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties with the highest ideas of character, conduct, patriotism, and service so they may become happy and resourceful citizens.

Jefferson-Lewis Teacher Center serves and supports teachers in Jefferson and parts of five other counties by providing teachers with access to research and references, and through developing and promoting new and effective strategies for teacher growth.

New York State Odyssey of the Mind Association, Inc . fosters creative thinking and problem-solving skills among participating students who must cooperatively solve complex problems as members of self-directed teams with adults as facilitating coaches.

Contact

Cyndi Barker
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County
203 N. Hamilton St
Watertown, NY 13601-2597
(315) 788-8450
csb89@cornell.edu