In 2022, United Way of Southeastern Connecticut launched, Your Voice Counts (YVC), to promote trust and civility in our community. The initiative aims to improve communication, critical thinking, and understanding among high school students, to contribute to a more positive community. United Way’s program pairs up community partners and volunteers with the high school students to work on new evidence-based curriculum, and work towards developing their final projects, which will later be presented to a community panel.

From January- May 2024, youth will work with UConn Extension’s, New London County 4-H Program once/twice a week. UConn Extension 4-H staff members will lead a club, in two cohorts, one virtually and one in person. During this time the youth will focus on enhancing listening skills, engaging in discussions, understanding viewpoints that differ from their own and becoming advocates for change. By the end of the program these young adults will be able to say to others, “Your Voice Counts”, and be able to bring their new skills and knowledge to the broader community.

This program exemplifies UConn 4-H’s mission, by developing leadership and life skills while forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of their families and communities.