Team Award

MSU Extension’s Children and Youth Institute’s, or CYI, LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Team was formed in the spring of 2020 after CYI held a series of listening sessions to hear from community partners, 4-H families and volunteers about needs and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 17-person team has helped make CYI and MSU Extension values prominent by creating new professional development opportunities for colleagues, including the Helping with Rainbow Hands Club (a new statewide 4-H program), new partnerships within and outside of MSU and a more affirming and brave space for our youth, volunteers and staff who are in the LGBTQIA+ community.

The members of the team include: Tonya Pell, 4-H program coordinator; Brian Wibby, extension educator; Anna EldenBrady, grant technical support; Melissa Elischer, extension educator; Rachel Puckett, 4-H STEAM corps program manager; Jackie Martin, extension educator; Darren Bagley, extension educator; Aaron Myers, 4-H program coordinator; Kristy Oosterhouse, 4-H program coordinator; Diane Wisnewski, supervising educator; Carrie Shrier, extension educator; Lisa Kelley, 4-H program coordinator; Kristi Schreiber, 4-H program coordinator; Julie Darnton, district director; Stacie Gath, 4-H program coordinator; and Julia Moll, student intern.

The team planned and facilitated a teach-in around LGBTQIA+ topics and assisted with the implementation of the MSU Extension Guide for Inclusion of Individuals of All Gender Identities, Gender Expressions, Sexual Orientations and Sexes. Additionally, the group established the Michigan 4-H Helping with Rainbow Hands Club, a program centered around creating a friendly, positive environment for Michigan LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies.