From Isolated to Inspired: How to Connect Teens to Their Talents, Influence and Potential

Growing up as a sheltered teenager in Seattle, there were times when I felt deeply disconnected. Often I imagined myself as a highly efficient homework robot, isolated and free-floating with few meaningful connections to the world around me. It’s not like my situation was bleak or desperate: I had friends, a comfortable routine and a schedule full of activities, but it felt empty at best and stiflingly narcissistic at worst. I learned how to dutifully meet my student achiever role day in and day out:writing papers, excelling in sports, and driving myself to achieve because that was what I was supposed to do.

Still, I was plagued by a gnawing and inescapable feeling that there was something more important than finely crafted topic sentences and A grades. Similarly, the world was calling to me—or rather shouting at me-- to engage more fully in life, demanding in no uncertain terms that I find a way to connect and contribute to something larger than myself.

My chance came during the summer after my sophomore year when I had the rare opportunity to participate in a program called Teens in Public Service. This program, really the only one of its kind in my community, had the vision and foresight to place young people in paid summer internships at non-profits around the Seattle community. I was placed at the African American Academy, where I worked 20 hours a week reading to second grade students and experienced the most fulfilling and world-expanding summer of my young life.

It was not that I saved lives or even changed them significantly; rather, I recognized that I was being offered an incredible opportunity to contribute my energy to support the healthy development of other lives outside my own. The returns were huge. Suddenly I felt alive, awake and connected and I found a warm community that accepted me and honored my contributions despite our differences. It was this summer that I learned to see through the subtle lie we absorb unconsciously as teenagers that we are only good for studying and socializing and maybe getting into trouble—not much more. I felt my capacity to contribute and the necessity and beauty of service in a tangible, first-hand way and this experience alone changed the course of my life. I was motivated to direct my life towards serving and empowering my community.

I am very excited that will be offering a similar program this summer, as we plan to place 25 youth in non-profit volunteer internships at reputable agencies including , , , the Science Workshop and the . 

Our goal with the Junior Volunteers Program is to connect youth with meaningful service opportunities to realize their talents, influence and capacity to contribute to the world around them. Pairing non-profit internships with job-readiness workshops, media literacy training, service projects (gardening, mural painting), and fun field trips (wterfights, BBQs, beach trips), the program will give youth a sense of agency to direct their lives and advocate for the issues and communities that matter to them.

Whether you are a privileged girl caught in an empty charade of achieving or a teen  facing difficult circumstances, service is deeply rewarding and brings a quality of connection, agency and meaning. The U.S State department found that youth who volunteer regularly do better in school, have higher self-esteem, and are significantly more likely to develop life-long volunteer habits. The Search institute found that regular volunteering among teens of all backgrounds reduces risk behaviors like skipping school, vandalism, binge drinking, smoking and problem drug use in half. The results of this study put our options for engaging youth into stark relief: we can either engage and connect our young people to their capacity to create change, or suffer the consequences of leaving them in a disconnected and disempowered position. It is our responsibility at the Volunteer Center to provide avenues for youth to find a life of meaning and service, and we are excited about the opportunity to connect youth this summer with their own potential to rock their world for good.

We are currently accepting Applications for the Junior Volunteer Program. Youth entering 9th grade and up are encouraged to apply! To request an application, write to wats@scvolunteercenter.org or call 831.722.6708 and we can send you a copy electronically or via fax.

You can also drop by our office at 12 Carr St. from 9:30am-5pm M-F to pick up a paper copy and learn more about the program. Please call ahead to ensure we are in the office.

Applications are due at 5pm on Thursday, June 9. Please apply early, as we have a limited number of spaces!