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YouthForce is the premier workforce development program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County that connects innovative businesses with talented youth who can help move the business forward.

Career Launch participants, Neudesic Volunteers, YouthForce Board Members, SYVPI Staff, and YouthForce Staff at the Summer Career Launch Informational Interview and Celebration

Career Launch – Eight Summer Weeks of Job Readiness

We are extremely proud of the 10 youth who participated and successfully completed their Career Launch program with YouthForce this summer! In collaboration with the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI), YouthForce hosts Career Launch, a job readiness program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to prepare youth for entering the workforce.

Over the past eight weeks, 10 teens participated in weekly workshops and career field trips as paid educational opportunities. Some highlights included participating guest speakers from local organizations, field trips to Columbia City and Southcenter Mall to practice seeking employment opportunities, a visit to Macy's to obtain interview clothes, educational workshops hosted by Microsoft and Optimedia, a service day at the Rainier Beach Community Center, and an Informational Interview event with volunteers from Neudesic and YouthForce Board members.

These youth are now eager and prepared to apply for YouthForce internships and jobs in the community! We are so thankful for our outstanding partners and the incredible commitment made by youth in the program!

Meet a YouthForce Intern

Carson Torres
Career Internship Program, Alaska Airlines Intern
Highline High School, Class of 2017

Carson joined YouthForce in June 2016 and hit the ground running at Alaska Airlines. She even mentored some fellow interns on the team! Carson says, “The positive energy in the office is amazing! Everyone is so supportive, and I feel as if I can go to anyone in the office for help. Being a part of this internship has impacted me in so many different ways, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity!” Carson is entering her senior year, and she is currently captain of three sports including Cross Country, Wrestling, and Track & Field. Additionally, she joined our TeamWork Internship for the Seahawks season. In her free time, Carson loves to do anything outdoors! Her plan is to save enough money to take a backpacking trip overseas next summer!

Meet a YouthForce Alumnus

Wesley Muthemba
Sophomore at The University of Washington
Federal Way High School Graduate, Class of 2015

Wesley worked as TeamWork Intern from 2014 to 2015, including serving as the Community Relations Lead. Now as an Alumnus, Wesley joins the team as our YouthForce Coordinator. Wesley grew up in Dubai, Kenya, and London before moving to Washington. His current education goal is to graduate college with four degrees and two minors, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Human Centered Design Engineering, Informatics, and minors in Math and Entrepreneurship. His current career goal is to obtain an internship or part-time job at Microsoft. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, volleyball, football, swim, cook, play video games, and read a book on a sunny day under the shade of a tree. Welcome back Wesley!

Seafair Torchlight Parade with Starbucks

YouthForce Interns enjoying the Seafair Torchlight Parade at the Starbucks VIP tent

On July 30th, YouthForce interns were invited by Starbucks to attend a special viewing of the Seafair Torchlight Parade, an annual event sponsored by many of YouthForce's partners, including Alaska Airlines, Starbucks, Seattle Sounders FC, and Seattle Seahawks. Interns experienced the parade with other local community-based youth organizations supported by Starbucks. Erin Combs, Senior Manager of Community Partnerships at Starbucks, and Chelsea Stevenson, TeamWork Internship Program Director from YouthForce, spoke on KIRO 7 News to discuss how Seafair is all about bringing the community together. Watch their clip here. Thank you Starbucks!

Upcoming Events

Youth Resource Fair
Saturday, October 8, 2016 1–4:30 PM
Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club
FREE to all youth 14–21 years old
Register here

Event Highlights

25+ companies and organizations to speak with about local job and education opportunities
On-site Informational Interviews (sign up day of event)
Dress for success, resume, application, and college help stations
Snacks and beverages
Photo booth, raffle prizes, and giveaways

Now Hiring

Walmart Career Internship Program (Renton)
Must be at least 16 years old to apply
Application opening this September
Check back this fall at www.teenjobs.org

Thank You

We appreciate Hannah, Eric, and Alex from KeyBank for facilitating a financial education workshop for our new Seahawks Interns!

Thank you to Microsoft for inviting Career Launch to participate in a workshop on Social Selling with Susan Landeira!

Thank you to Optimedia’s Young Professionals Network for hosting us at your office and facilitating a great Dress for Success workshop!

Thank you to Neudesic for helping teens practice their interview skills at our Career Launch Informational Interview and Celebration!

Shout out to Macy’s at Southcenter Mall for providing us with personal shoppers and store discounts to fit our Career Launch cohort in interview ready attire!

Thank you to YouthCare for presenting a workshop about the YouthBuild and Barista Training Programs!

Shout out to YearUp for visiting during Career Launch to tell us about the great opportunities your program has to offer!