CTSI Partner Spotlight Jennifer Youndt
Food, Families, and Communities Educator, Penn State Extension
In our Partner Spotlight series, we highlight the dedicated individuals and organizations collaborating with Penn State CTSI to create healthier, more engaged communities.
If you attended the recent healthy aging fair in Schuylkill County, you likely saw the results of Jennifer Youndt’s hard work. As a Food, Families, and Communities Educator for Penn State Extension, Jennifer recently co-led the planning of this highly successful event alongside CTSI's Jess Petrie.
For Jennifer, the mission is personal and deeply rooted in community need. "It is a well-known fact that Schuylkill County ranks 63rd out of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania for overall poor health outcomes," she notes. "Partnering with CTSI is allowing us to reach the community members of Schuylkill County who are reaching retirement age and provide them with an introduction to all the agencies and opportunities that exist... to support their health and engagement as they enter the next chapter in their lives."
From the Classroom to the Community
People might be surprised to learn that Jennifer's path to becoming an Extension Educator wasn't a straight line. Her career began as an inner-city 6th-grade math teacher. She later transitioned into a middle and high school family and consumer sciences teacher before finding her current home at Penn State Extension, where she translates university research into useful, unbiased, science-based information for the public.
Today, her focus is on health, wellness, and family wellbeing. She facilitates a wide range of impactful programs, from the "Let's Cook" series and "Build Your Bones" osteoporosis education to Alzheimer's education and "LIFT" (Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together), a strength and balance class.
Inspiration Through Impact
When asked what inspires her to do this work, Jennifer's answer is simple but profound: "The inspiration for my work comes from my true desire to help people not just live a long life, but a life that they can enjoy for a long time."
She recalls a particularly moving experience with a participant in her LIFT program who had suffered a stroke and was experiencing vascular dementia. "Several weeks after they were participating in the class, [they] came to me and shared a trip that they once took and shared vivid details. Prior to taking the class, the participant had no recollection of ever taking the trip. Their story did not just bring tears to my eyes, but confirmed the importance of my role in the community."
The Power of Partnership
Jennifer views her collaboration with CTSI as an amazing opportunity to better serve Schuylkill County. She specifically highlights her experience co-developing the "Cheers to the Golden Years" fair with CTSI Education Program Specialist Jess Petrie, noting that "her professionalism and work ethic is truly admirable."
Looking ahead, Jennifer sees this as just the beginning. "After our next community research day, we will develop another project that will benefit the members of Schuylkill County."
Getting to Know Jennifer
If she could have dinner with any researcher/thought leader:
Dr. Haiden Joffe, a clinical neuroscientist who focuses on women and the changes they experience as they age.
How she recharges:
Cooking, walking, hiking, and spending time at the beach in the summer.
What she wants you to know about her work:
"As a Penn State Extension Educator, I have the flexibility of providing programs to meet the needs of the community; I will travel to wherever I am needed, also I will work on the weekend and at night."