Back in the Fall at the Youth Advocacy Summit, youth advocates organized around creating access full time paid employment instead of just unpaid or short term internships (while they are great experience, they don’t provide as much stability). This week we discussed some opportunities including working with Real Change, education and training through Career Pathways, and the Living Wage Green Internships campaign! (read more below!)
We also elected new co-chairs: Michael (HEYO) and Emily (PSKS) we’re excited to have you in the fun leadership role! And Hatlo, we’re fortunate that you were a co-chair with great leadership and glad to still see you at meetings and events.
(Drum roll…)We are excited about bills that made it past a very important cutoff in Olympia!!! The Homeless Youth Act (Senate & House), Extended Foster Care (Senate & House), Homeless Student Stability Act (House), and Youth Equality and Reintegration (YEAR) Act (Senate) made it out of their perspective chambers and will now be heard in the other chamber. Thanks for making calls, and we encourage you to call your legislators to thank them for their work. See more on our legislative tracker blog post.
Here are the opportunities we talked about:
Job Opportunity: Sell papers on a flexible schedule with Real Change, presenter: Jerred Clouse, Vendor Program Supervisor, jerredc@realchangenews.org
- Real Change is a three part program. (1) newspaper that has won many national awards and collaborates with local organizations such as Mockingbird for articles. (2) Vendor program and circulation of paper. (3) Awesome advocacy work organizing at a local and state level (you’ve probably heard of their OutsideIn campaign).
- Related to youth and young adults, their Vendor Program is open to people 18+ years old, and is very flexible, accessible, and independent. They’re doing a lot of outreach to involve and engage with YYA who are interested in the Vendor Program.
- Want an outreach person to come and talk to the YYA you serve? Contact Jerred or Karina (karinas@realchangenews.org).
Education and Job Training: YWCA Career Pathways Programs, presenter: Mollie Beebe, Career Navigator, Career Pathways, mbeebe@ywcaworks.org.
- Career Pathways is a program that prepares students for a career in business and information technology by supporting them in short term training at local colleges and in their subsequent job search. The program is possible through a partnership with Seattle Jobs Initiative and Seattle Community Colleges.
- These two or three quarter programs provide education and hands on training for sectors that have a lot of jobs, trying to create access these jobs for people with low-incomes.
- Qualifying students will be provided with:
- College and career navigation assistance, tuition assistance, support services, case management, job placement assistance.
- Is not an inside network to housing through YWCA but can help students know housing options. One-time rental assistance is available.
- General Eligibility (Varies slightly for each program)
- Eligible for public assistance, eligible to work in the US, at least 18-years-old, does not currently possess an AA or BA degree, interested in short-term training & education.
- Career Pathways Programs through YWCA
- Medical Office Professional at South Seattle Flyer
- Two quarters, full time, internships (help with resume and skill building!).
- Computer Support Technician at Seattle Vocational Institute Flyer
- Only YWCA program that is open to people with felony backgrounds
- Medical Administrative Assistant at Seattle Vocational Institute Flyer
- Medical Office Professional at South Seattle Flyer
- Click here to check out Career Pathways programs through other partner organizations
Living Wage Green Internships Campaign, presenter: Mo!, Young Leaders in the Green Movement Program Organizer with Got Green, mo@gotgreen.org.
- Mo! joined us and gave a great overview of how, when, and why Got Green began, and the community-centered focus and drive of the organization, as well as their big wins and upcoming campaigns.
- The Living Wage Green Internship Campaign will ask the City 100 living wage, environmentally sustainable internships targeted at young adults of color and young people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Seattle (Read More).
- The Green Internships Campaign (as with all campaigns by Got Green) is based on great prep work and community involvement – they surveyed 150 young adults of color to understand the needs of the community and found that 2/3 of individuals said the environment was important for them but that currently they have more pressing needs/barriers such as transportation, higher education, and paid work experience.
- Green leadership positions and living wage internships will help this!
- What can you do?
- Come to the campaign launch march Tuesday March 17 at 12pm.
- Meet on Corner of 23rd & James near Garfield High School and march to Seattle Central Community College. Contact Mo! for more information.
- Follow and stay in touch with Young Leaders in the Green Movement for events, advocacy, and actions as they work to get their campaign for 100 living wage green internships approved by the city.
- Come to the campaign launch march Tuesday March 17 at 12pm.
Check out other job training and internship opportunities brought forth by YYAC members:
- Seattle Youth Garden Works – See flyer for next program (April 23 – June 11) with Seattle Tilth
- Youth Build – Visit their website for upcoming sessions and find the application here. March 2015 Youth Build Flyer
- New Horizons – Exalt Job Training flyer – A 6 month paid job training program, currently hiring for facilities apprentice, street bean espresso apprentice, and peer outreach apprentice. Find the application here and submit for priority application deadline by Friday March 27.
We covered a lot at this meeting and the conversations were continuing! Join us next month to talk about Youth Housing Connection and bring your insight and experience. If you have other job training/employment/internship opportunities to circulate please email them to hillary@homelessinfo.org.