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Programs

Employment Programs

How does Powerful Voices fund the Employment Programs?

Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI) and individual donors generously help to support and fund our programs.

How many girls are served by these programs annually?

20-22.

Who are the girls that are served in these programs?

Historically program participants are young women of color, ages 14-18 that live in the City of Seattle. As of 2010 they specifically live or go to school in West Seattle, South Seattle, or the Central District, have been affected by violence in some way, and are enrolled in the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI).

What is being offered in Powerful Voices Employment Programs?

Our goals are for youth to develop social and emotional intelligence, such as self-expression, activism and the value of using one’s voice to communicate ideas and opinions, as well as concrete skills through creation of resumes and participating in mock interviews. The programs emphasize the cultivation of "positive girl culture" by working to build a trusting and supportive team with other girls and women. Our programs activities seek to encourage them out of their comfort zone and ask them to think critically, focus on their strengths, and utilize their natural leadership skills. The programs combine peer education, one-on-one support and mentoring, referral services to partner and community organizations, and employment training and readiness so that girls can apply their learning and growth to other experiences in their life.

Where?

Currently programs are offered at Powerful Voices office in the Central District on 18th and Madison.

Descriptions of Employment programs

Program: ActiveVistas
When: 12 weeks, end of January- mid April
Hours/work schedule: 2 days per week, 3.5 hours each day afterschool
How many youth are hired for this program: Approximately 11
Stipend/pay: $550
What is the job: During the course of the project, participants gain exposure to local and global health and safety issues affecting girls and women. They are exposed to anti-oppression trainings and how to use that knowledge to create social justice and change.
They develop skills in teamwork, public speaking, writing, community organizing, facilitation, and management of group dynamics.  Youth will choose a topic related to girls’ safety and heath, organize and then develop a workshop that is presented at the Powerful Voices youth led Girlvolution Conference in April. At the end of the program we host a community celebration to highlight and acknowledge their work and achievements.   

 

Program: DYVAS (Develop your Voice and Speak)
When: 13 weeks, mid July-mid October
Hours/work schedule: In the summer, 2 days per week, 4 hours each day.  In the fall, 2 days per week, 3.5 hours each day afterschool.
How many youth are hired for this program: Approximately 11
Stipend/pay: $550
What is the job:  Over the course of the program youth will work together to create their own media as a form of activism in a print and online accessible zine (alternative source of media).  Individually, and as a team, youth create written and artistic pieces that relate to the weekly themes such as identity, sexism, racism, and how women are portrayed in the media. The team creates and decides on the name, format, look, and layout of the zine.  They also choose where they want to distribute it in the community. At the end of the program, we host a community celebration to highlight and acknowledge their work and achievements.

 

How are youth eligible to apply for Employment?

  • Youth must be enrolled in the SYVPI Initiative
  • Youth identify and/or have been socialized as female
  • Are in high school; ages 14-18
  • Are aware that they will be working on an all female team
  • Are highly committed to completing the program and able to attend weekly sessions
  • Are aware that some of the program is in a classroom setting for workshops, trainings, and educational components
  • Are interested in attending workshops and developing awareness on topics such as identity, sexism, oppression, and activism
  • Are open to sharing experiences, thoughts, ideas, and emotions about their lives and the topics we cover in a group setting
  • Interested in expressing themselves creatively through writing and art
  • Excited about being a leader and using their voice
  • Are willing and open to try new things and has a positive attitude

How do I sign up for or refer a youth to a Powerful Voices Employment Program?

Check the above criteria. If a youth is already enrolled in the initiative, make sure they have filled out an employment application for the initiative and write on the front of the application that you/the youth is interested in a job with Powerful Voices.  Then email or call us and the appropriate SYVPI Intake and Referral Specialist to let us know of your interest. 
If a youth is not enrolled in the SYVPI initiative but they live or go to school in the South end, CD, or West side and are between the ages of 14 and 17 they can contact the appropriate SYVPI Intake and Referral Specialists for their neighborhood to check if they qualify:

SYVPI Intake and Referral Specialist for SE (South end): Marty Patu; mpatu@positveplace.org; (206) 436-1894
SYVPI Intake and Referral Specialist for CD: Kerry Ann Blackwood; kerryb@ths-wa.org; (206) 402-1037
SYVPI Intake and Referral Specialist for SW (West Side): Nani Fatuesi; nfatuesi@swyfs.org; (206) 402-1037

Powerful Voices Employment Programs Coordinator:  Antasia Parker

 

contact us

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Powerful Voices
1620 18th Avenue, Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98122