The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recently announced the 2017 Kentucky Extension Diversity Awards. Instituted in 1994, the Extension Diversity Awards recognize the outstanding achievements and the commitment employees and volunteers have made to strengthen community diversity, recruit and retain diverse clientele and foster a culture of inclusiveness. Two awards are presented annually – the Individual Diversity Award and the Team Diversity Award. A total of 29 nominations were considered for these honors, and Family and Consumer Sciences professionals were recognized in both categories.
Diane Mason, Boone County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, received the Individual Diversity Award. Her program “Hands on Cooking Class for Adult English as a Second Language Participants,” reached more than 325 people in under a year.
The Team Diversity Award was presented to “Extension Creates Opportunities for Homeless Youth in Louisville, Kentucky.” Team members included Dr. Kenneth Jones, Director, Program and Staff Development; Dr. Janet Kurzynske, Extension Professor, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition; Dr. Kerri Ashurst, Senior Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension; Corbin Hannah, Youth Development Coordinator, YMCA Safe Place Services, Jefferson County; and, Shavonne Gibson, Outreach Specialist, YMCA Safe Place Services, Jefferson County. The program is helping homeless and unstably housed youth and young adults earn GEDs, start college, create resumes, get jobs, learn job skills, and much more.