October 7, 2020
Minority & Small Business Week
Page 9
Zoo Interns are Future Leaders
Program
provides
mentored work
experience
Now in its 21st year, the
Oregon Zoo’s Animal Present-
er (ZAP) program presented
by First Tech Federal Credit
Union, is older than some of its
graduates.
The three-year, paid intern-
ship program primarily serves
youth of color and youth from
low-income families by intro-
ducing them to wildlife con-
servation with mentored work
experience.
“Paid internship opportu-
nities can be hard to come by
in any year, and this year has
been more difficult than ever
for youth to find and employ-
ers to provide safe, engaging
and enriching programs,” said
Nicole Frisch, senior director
of community engagement at
First Tech. “We’re so proud to
continue our partnership with
photo Courtesy of the
o regon Z oo .
A local high school student gains valuable work experience talking to kids from Vestal
Elementary in northeast Portland as part of the Oregon Zoo’s Animal Presenter program, a
three-year paid internship to serve youth of color and youth from low income families.
the zoo on another year of the term mentorship.”
“The ZAP program offers
ZAP program, supporting ac-
Since 1999, ZAP has em- formative experiences for
cess to STEM-related skills, ployed 236 teens or about 10 youth to connect with the nat-
career exploration and long- new teens each year.
ural world,” said Pam McEl-
wee, ZAP program coordina-
tor. “And at the same time,
it helps strengthen the zoo’s
ties to our community. It of-
fers young people job skills
and support to grow and learn
while they educate others.
Alumni have gone on to do
some incredible things, with
some pursuing careers in edu-
cation, conservation and even
comedy.”
First-year ZAP members
provide animal-based outreach
programming for children and
families around the community.
The following year, members
work as counselors with the Ur-
ban Nature Overnight program,
teaching children ages 8-11 rec-
reation skills and basic environ-
mental concepts while camping
overnight at local natural areas.
Third-year ZAP members help
mentor peers entering the pro-
gram and engage in internship
placements at the zoo’s veteri-
nary medical center and butterfly
conservation lab.
For additional information
about the ZAP program, visit
oregonzoo.org/zap.