Cornell Cooperative Extension

Youth & Family

Albany County Government Intern Program for
High School Students

This school year long program is an opportunity available to high school juniors and seniors living and attending schools in Albany County. Students are matched with local government officials to discover first hand how government works. Guest speakers, independent projects, seminars, legislative meetings, and field trips throughout the school year provide additional information. Students successfully completing the government intern program receive academic credit and some schools award (12th grade) a “Participation in Government” credit.

High school students or anyone interested in the government intern program should contact Nancy Lerner at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521.

Click here for more information

Download a 2009-2010 application

Cornell University Reading Project

Garry Wills' Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America, was the 2008 required reading for more than 3,000 Cornell University incoming freshman and transfer students. Participation in the Cornell Reading Project was also extended to high school students across the state through the Cornell Cooperative Extension System. More than 1,000 students from eight high schools in Albany County participated in the 2007 Cornell Reading Project. They were part of the 10,000 youth statewide involved in this innovative program. Cornell University, through the Cooperative Extension system, provides reading materials, encourages reading time, promotes community discussions, and disseminates resources in addition to strengthening the connection between the college and New York State residents. For teachers and schools interested in participating in the 2009 Cornell Reading Project, contact Nancy at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521.

Mentors & Moms

Mentors & Moms (M & M) is a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in Albany County. Teens are matched with a mentor from the community who maintain weekly contact with the girls. In addition to phone contact, mentors and mentees spend time together in the community accessing services, shopping, and engaging in recreational activities. The best part is just being friends.

Each month, program participants also attend a Community Gathering for social and educational events. Educational programs cover a range of topics, including healthy relationships, nutrition, parenting, budgeting, and community resources. Social programs provide us with a time to just have fun and celebrate special events.

M&M is open to young moms up to the age of 21 who have a desire to gain the support
and friendship of a mentor. Mentors must be 21 years of age and have a desire to commit to at least a one year relationship. They are required to possess a driver license, have transportation, attend an initial training and have a background check.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Program would like to extend their appreciation to First Niagara Bank for their decision to award the Mentors and Moms Program a grant for $10,000 to continue reaching out to adolescent mothers in Albany County. Through their “Mentoring Matters” Program, First Niagara is able to make contributions to programs throughout the Capital District to show that mentors definitely can make a difference in the lives of young people. Thank you, First Niagara!!!

4-H Summer Scene

4-H Summer Scene is a 6 week long day camp in the city of Albany during July and August.The camp will be conducted at Ridgefield Park on Ridgefield Street in Albany. Camp meets daily from 10 am - 3 pm Monday through Thursday and from 10 am - 1 pm on Fridays. Campers participate in a variety of programs such as arts/crafts, recreational games, fitness, nutrition, nature studies, character educations and drama. Visiting programs provide additional opportunities such as golf, tennis, bicycle safety, substance abuse and self-esteem awareness.

Camp is open to youth 7-12 years of age at no cost. Pre-registration is required and enrollment is limited. USDA free lunches are served daily. In addition to campers, summer scene employs 30 junior counselors and 25 senior counselors each year through the City of Albany Summer Youth Employment Program. Junior Counselors have the opportunity to gain employment skills and work towards becoming future Senior Counselors.

The focus of the 2009 summer day camp is “Footprints to the Future” - environmental awareness for youth, and is open to youth 7-12 years of age at no cost. Pre-registration is required and enrollment is limited. Click here for the program brochure and registration form.

Strengthening Families Program (SFP)

A program for parents, caregivers and their youth, ages 10 – 14. The Strengthening Families Program has seven sessions that are designed to help: 1) parents build on their strengths in showing love and setting limits; 2) youth develop skills in handling peer pressure and building a positive future; 3) families grow together. The sessions focus on parents and youth separately for the first hour and then brings caregivers and youth together as a family the second hour. Some comments from parents who have attended STP: “Outstanding! Has been very helpful to us as a family unit.” “I wish I could have attended when my two older kids were this age. We benefited very much.” “I liked listening to what has worked with other families.”

Contact Ellen Cooper at 518-765-3500, Ext. 552 for details or eec7@cornell.edu





	Youth & Family Albany County Government Intern Program for High School Students This school year long program is an opportunity available to high school juniors and seniors living and attending schools in Albany County. Students are matched with local government officials to discover first hand how government works. Guest speakers, independent projects, seminars, legislative meetings, and field trips throughout the school year provide additional information. Students successfully completing the government intern program receive academic credit and some schools award (12th grade) a “Participation in Government” credit. High school students or anyone interested in the government intern program should contact Nancy Lerner at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521. Click here for more information Download a 2009-2010 application Cornell University Reading Project Garry Wills' Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America, was the 2008 required reading for more than 3,000 Cornell University incoming freshman and transfer students. Participation in the Cornell Reading Project was also extended to high school students across the state through the Cornell Cooperative Extension System. More than 1,000 students from eight high schools in Albany County participated in the 2007 Cornell Reading Project. They were part of the 10,000 youth statewide involved in this innovative program. Cornell University, through the Cooperative Extension system, provides reading materials, encourages reading time, promotes community discussions, and disseminates resources in addition to strengthening the connection between the college and New York State residents. For teachers and schools interested in participating in the 2009 Cornell Reading Project, contact Nancy at NKL1@cornell.edu or 518-765-3521. Mentors & Moms Mentors & Moms (M & M) is a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in Albany County. Teens are matched with a mentor from the community who maintain weekly contact with the girls. In addition to phone contact, mentors and mentees spend time together in the community accessing services, shopping, and engaging in recreational activities. The best part is just being friends. Each month, program participants also attend a Community Gathering for social and educational events. Educational programs cover a range of topics, including healthy relationships, nutrition, parenting, budgeting, and community resources. Social programs provide us with a time to just have fun and celebrate special events. M&M is open to young moms up to the age of 21 who have a desire to gain the support and friendship of a mentor. Mentors must be 21 years of age and have a desire to commit to at least a one year relationship. They are required to possess a driver license, have transportation, attend an initial training and have a background check. The Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Program would like to extend their appreciation to First Niagara Bank for their decision to award the Mentors and Moms Program a grant for $10,000 to continue reaching out to adolescent mothers in Albany County. Through their “Mentoring Matters” Program, First Niagara is able to make contributions to programs throughout the Capital District to show that mentors definitely can make a difference in the lives of young people. Thank you, First Niagara!!! 4-H Summer Scene 4-H Summer Scene is a 6 week long day camp in the city of Albany during July and August.The camp will be conducted at Ridgefield Park on Ridgefield Street in Albany. Camp meets daily from 10 am - 3 pm Monday through Thursday and from 10 am - 1 pm on Fridays. Campers participate in a variety of programs such as arts/crafts, recreational games, fitness, nutrition, nature studies, character educations and drama. Visiting programs provide additional opportunities such as golf, tennis, bicycle safety, substance abuse and self-esteem awareness. Camp is open to youth 7-12 years of age at no cost. Pre-registration is required and enrollment is limited. USDA free lunches are served daily. In addition to campers, summer scene employs 30 junior counselors and 25 senior counselors each year through the City of Albany Summer Youth Employment Program. Junior Counselors have the opportunity to gain employment skills and work towards becoming future Senior Counselors. The focus of the 2009 summer day camp is “Footprints to the Future” - environmental awareness for youth, and is open to youth 7-12 years of age at no cost. Pre-registration is required and enrollment is limited. Click here for the program brochure and registration form. Strengthening Families Program (SFP) A program for parents, caregivers and their youth, ages 10 – 14. The Strengthening Families Program has seven sessions that are designed to help: 1) parents build on their strengths in showing love and setting limits; 2) youth develop skills in handling peer pressure and building a positive future; 3) families grow together. The sessions focus on parents and youth separately for the first hour and then brings caregivers and youth together as a family the second hour. Some comments from parents who have attended STP: “Outstanding! Has been very helpful to us as a family unit.” “I wish I could have attended when my two older kids were this age. We benefited very much.” “I liked listening to what has worked with other families.” Contact Ellen Cooper at 518-765-3500, Ext. 552 for details or eec7@cornell.edu