Blog

Nickie Harding is the 4H Youth Development agent for Douglas County, Kansas State Research and Extension. She and her son, Hunter, shared their experiences with the county 4H program. 4H got started as an agriculture related youth program, but it has grown through the years to encompass a variety of youth development opportunities. Young people ages 5-19 learn practical skills and important values through workshops, day camps, project groups and leadership development. Photography, robotics, public speaking, biology and pets are a few of the study topics. The annual county fair continues to be a popular event in the 4H year. Hunter Harding started the program at an early age and has served as an officer and as project leader for various activities. He has represented the club on the radio and also at local government meetings. Hunter believes the skills he has learned in 4H will serve him well.

Our own Kate Campbell and Maggie Chipman are enthusiastic members of the New Generation Society of Lawrence (NGLS). NGLS serves retirees and active seniors with life long learning opportunities, social events and philanthropy. The organization is affiliated with Watkins Museum of History and the Hall Center for the Humanities. Each fall and spring twenty-five one hour programs are offered by local experts. Topics include local issues, the arts, KU, sports, architecture, humanities and history. Most programs are presented at Watkins Museum, with occasional day trips to points of interest. NGSL also hosts four dinner parties each year and is supported by a $50 dollar annual fee and a modest program attendance fee. NGLS awards annually 5,000 to 10,000 dollars toward local children’s services and education. Kate spoke about how NGLS helped her connect with the community when she moved to Lawrence.

Tom Harper is a local Realtor with a love for homes in the older neighborhoods. He is a member of the Lawrence Modern Group, which was formed to raise appreciation of mid century and modern architecture in Lawrence and to promote preservation efforts. The group maintains a web site and sponsors home tours, lectures, and commemorations. The KU School of Architecture had a Modernist influence on graduates which resulted in a number of unique home and building designs around town. The group is credited with saving several historical structures from demolition. Tom has a social welfare background and has been a Realtor for some twenty-five years.

Girl Scouts has a proud history of providing personal development opportunities for girls. The movement was started in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savanna, Georgia with eighteen girls. She wanted girls to build friendships and explore possibilities. Girl Scouts has grown to encompass some two million members and offers a variety of personal development and skill building activities. Lori Hanson, a representative and troop leader for North East Kansas and North West Missouri District, spoke about Girl Scout activities and her own experience with the organization. Girl Scouts is a learning organization that promotes environmental stewardship, life skills, civic engagement, leadership, friendship building and fun. Girls go to summer camp, do service projects and enjoy travel opportunities. They learn business skills from their famous cookie sales. The organization supports Hidden Valley Camp, a unique resource for Girl Scout activities.

Representatives of United Way of Kaw Valley (UWKV) spoke of the many projects and activities sponsored by the storied organization. Judy Riling, Director of Donor Engagement, and Kathy Smith, Vice President of Douglas County Initiatives, described the organization’s impact and focus on a whole family approach to assistance. There is a particular concern for households just above the poverty line who do not qualify for government assistance and yet are struggling. UKWV invests in early education, financial stability, substance abuse, racial equity and basic needs. Working with public and private partners they seek solutions to community problems. Some UWKV programs include a volunteer matching service, a volunteer tax assistance program, a Christmas Bureau, the junior leader reading program, and a community resource navigator. Volunteers and donations are critical the UWKV’s success.