Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2004)
Smoke Signals 9 Tribe's Summer Youth Employment Program Continues Its Success Young people get real life, on-the-job experience and mentoring. SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 By Jack Ham For five years, the Summer Youth Program has provided Tribal youth with work opportunities in Tribal de partments including, Housing Author ity, Members Benefits, Human Re sources at Spirit Mountain Casino, HeadStartPreschool, Social Services, Community Fund, Facilities (Grounds), Library, Information Sys tems, Facilities (Housekeeping), Youth Education, preschool kitchen and Smoke Signals. The Summer Youth Program pro vides work for kids 14-17. It first opened in the late '90s. The program served 48 young people this year. Working with the Tribes gives young people the opportunity to get to know what it is like to wake up and go to work Monday through Friday, orga nize their hours and receive a pay check. "It's a good opportunity for students to gain work place or employment skills and they can learn about differ ent jobs," said Education Division Man ager Marion Mercier. Among the skills students learned, Mercier named "learning about how important atten dance is, demonstrating workplace be haviors and time management. Learning about different jobs is impor tant because they learn (what they like) to do and don't like to do. They go through the interview process and it gives them a chance to earn money. When you work for something it has more value." "It gives the kids the opportunity to make a little money during summer," - said General Manager Cliff Adams. "(It) provides training and discipline for the kids, work experience for the kids. It's important the kids are in a construc tive activity." "(The purpose is) to provide work ex perience opportunities for Tribal youth ages 14-17," said Youth Education Pro gram Coordinator Marie Heimburg. "It gives youth a good work opportunity (and) enhances their work ethic. We anticipate (staying) with the program as long as Tribal Council continues to fund it. The past two summers, the program has worked well because we have had increased department and Youth Education (participation)." "It (also) gives them past work ex perience for future employment," said Youth Education Tutor Chris Bailey. "Our goal is to continue developing the program so it can provide a high quality work experience for all Tribal youth." On July 7, 1 was first introduced to work in the Public Information office where Smoke Signals is created. I can really feel now what it is like to be a real business man with my own desk, computer, phone with extension num ber, email and my very own reporter's notepad. My normal day on the job consisted of typing articles, learning how the news paper is laid out, delivering the newspa per, interviewing people, writing the sto ries and taking pictures for the stories. Working with Smoke Signals gave me the chance to know my Tribe bet ter. Pulling off money this summer has just been a bonus because the real heart of this job is working with tal ented people like Brent Merrill, Marty George, Toby McClary, Ron Karten, Justin Phillips and Peta Tinda who are like a family to me. I hope to return to this spot again because the Smoke Sig nals' office has been a home to me. Other Summer Interns also had comments on their experiences: "So us kids can have an experience for a job later in our lives," said Youth Education Intern Kelsey Lord. "I like it. It is really fun," said Spirit Mountain Community Fund Intern Katherine Warren. "I think it is im portant because it gives kids the chance to see what the work environment is." "I feel it's fun and it's important be cause you get a lot of skills for when we graduate and get our real jobs," said Youth Education Intern Valeria Atanacio. "It gives us kids a chance to learn about having a job," said K-5 Program worker Megan Zimbrick. Looking Good Production Assistant Marty George looks over Smoke Signal's Student Intern Young Jack Ham's shoulder during the Summer Youth Program's end-of-the-year luncheon. Summer youth were recognized for their summer Is work at the Tribal offices. The Summer Youth Program gave 48 Tribal youth the chance to work and experience a hands-on, on-the-job training. Young Jack spent weeks at a time with the each staff member at the Public Information Office. 2003-2004 Preschool Graduation w UtrvK3. ",t I M -r -' ' ' ' J Smile Tribal member Tracy Howerton takes a picture of son, Justin, (far left in red) Gift Lauren Lucio, (center) age 5, tries out one of the necklaces at this year's preschool graduation given to the graduates. . . . m. 1 Krrrrili Hi Tiw ii niMi muni I i n - ' ' ' Photos by Peta Tinda r ., Jh' 1: V7 Ready For The Next Level Graduates Madison Lenojerry Clifford, Nicholas Larsen.Micah Caring Language Specialist Jackie Whisler hugs Rogers, (facing away) and Tommy Dawson wait to receive their degrees from the preschool staff. Alexis Cortez.
