RAD YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND MENTORING
We’re working on restarting the RAD Youth Internship as a two-year program, as well as other mentoring opportunities. It’s going to be rad!!
Until then, here are the stories of the incredible youth we’ve worked with during past internships at Becka Makes Buttons.
YEP Internship Program, partnering with HOME Youth Services – 2022
This youth was my first hire, and my introduction to working with interns. They helped me transform the shoppe into a space that felt safer for neurodivergent types. They also helped to shape the safety plan and were responsible for a lot of the signage you see in the Button Shoppe today. In working together, they helped me to see ways that I can better serve my community that are still being implemented in the way I run the Button Shoppe today.
They were consistently going above and beyond and volunteered their time to many community events outside of their regular work hours. I am confident that this youth will go on to do great things as they continue to grow and evolve into a young adult.
This youth showed me the value of patience and boundaries, and helped to develop a check-in system we now do before youth begin their shift. When you are working with interns – especially youth – where this is often their very first job, sometimes the transition between regular life and work life can be a lot to take on. Spending 5-10 minutes with the interns and giving them space to vent or ask questions before getting settled into their work day can make all the difference in the world in setting them up for success.
In addition to being an asset at the Button Shoppe, they also spoke at various presentations and helped with events during the time of their internship. This youth serves on a local board for youth and continues to work for their community. I am confident they will grow into a well-rounded individual and continue to do amazing things for their community as they grow into adulthood.
Chemeketa WORKS Program - 2023
This Youth came to the Button shoppe with a passion for machining and quickly discovered how the equipment used to make buttons also related to the machining class he was in at CTEC. He was vital in helping to create better content for our social media pages and designed the available product board people saw when they first entered the Button Shoppe.
He quickly could apply knowledge obtained within’ the Button Shoppe to real-world situations outside the Button Shoppe. I watched him overcome many obstacles during his internship to effectively complete the program. He quickly adapted to the shoppe environment and was able to fully run the shoppe on his own within the first month. For someone nervous about customer service, he quickly became a Button Buddy favorite at the Shoppe.
I loved getting to know his witty and fun sense of humor and getting to know his family. Any employer will be fortunate to have him as a member of their team.
This Youth came to the Button shoppe with a passion for machining and quickly discovered how the equipment used to make buttons also related to the machining class he was in at CTEC. He was vital in helping to create better content for our social media pages and designed the available product board people saw when they first entered the Button Shoppe.
He quickly could apply knowledge obtained within’ the Button Shoppe to real-world situations outside the Button Shoppe. I watched him overcome many obstacles during his internship to effectively complete the program. He quickly adapted to the shoppe environment and was able to fully run the shoppe on his own within the first month. For someone nervous about customer service, he quickly became a Button Buddy favorite at the Shoppe.
I loved getting to know his witty and fun sense of humor and getting to know his family. Any employer will be fortunate to have him as a member of their team.
If you’re interested in a future Rad Internship, let Becka know by emailing her at becka@radnessensues.org.