Empowering Youth & Families Introduction

The NC 4-H Empowering Youth and Families Program (EYFP) is a family leadership program for middle school youth and their caregivers. Participating families attend 10 weekly sessions in their county and a “Confluence” family retreat. Each session has been carefully designed to address the unique needs of youth, caregivers, and families, and each includes fun team building activities, a sitdown family meal, and social time with other families in the program.

At the end of the program, families put their new skills into practice. Together with other local EYFP families, they organize and host a community-wide healthy living event to share their learning and take concrete steps in their community to prevent opioid-related deaths among teens.

The Empowering Youth and Families Program is led by an Executive Team from NC State University, East Carolina

“I wanted you to know what a blessing you and the EYFP class has been. One of the boys is actually my stepson. While spending weekends with his bio mom, he began using drugs and alcohol. My husband and I both had addicted parents and unfortunately just were very angry and unable to move forward. Your class has given us the tools to help deal with our son. Also through taking the class and counseling our son has made better choices.” -Participant

University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Funding is provided by the Rural Health and Safety Education (RHSE) Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from the United States Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Mission

To create resilient families and equip them to become advocates for health in their communities.

Vision

To empower youth and caregivers to work as a team to imporve their lives and the lives of those around them.