Positive Youth Development
Diana Hammer
Positive Youth Development Educator
920-459-5916 I diana.hammer@wisc.edu
Extension Youth Development Educator Diana Hammer provides opportunities for young people to lead themselves into their own future and lead their community. She teaches skill-building in civic engagement, social-emotional learning, and career and financial topics.
Needs Assessment
- County leaders want more residents prepared to live, work, and lead here. Extension is contributing to growing healthy, engaged, and productive youth (Beyond Ready).
Completed Projects:
- County Government Day Field Trip for 46 students at Kohler High School (May).
- Co-taught a workshop on Entrepreneurship to 13+ youth at the 4-H Summer Academy (June)
- 90 students engaged in ideation about their ideal community as part of the Town of Wilson’s comprehensive plan update (June & July)
- Life Skills Launchpad series taught to 12 students in Juvenile Detention (August)
Current Projects
- Organizing and recruiting for a food entrepreneurship tour for justice-involved young people with County Youth Justice.
- Planning Government Day 2027 which will teach about civic engagement locally while students learn about career possibilities in their areas of interest.
- Exploring how to have teens serve as Township election workers
- Teaching in juvenile detention on days off of school.
As a result of Diana’s educational efforts:
| 20/37 students from Kohler increased their confidence that they could contribute to local decisions. | May 2026 |
| The County has student feedback to incorporate into Government Day 2027 plans which is resulting in more choice for students in what they tour. | |
| 8/12 students in juvenile detention reported feeling safe, being liked by others, and being cared about by adults while planning for the future. | Aug. 2026 |