This summer, Early Care and Education (ECE) kicked off a new summer internship program in collaboration with Summer Works and NEXT. The partnership brought four ECE volunteer interns between the ages of 18-21 to ESD early learning and school-aged centers where they took a week-long course in professionalism, underwent formal interviews and completed required trainings and paperwork – skills that will help them join the workforce in the future.

Through the remainder of the summer program at the centers, the interns–Hannah, Victoria, Mindy and Taylor–helped set-up fun summer activities, worked with children of multiple ages, built healthy relationships with staff and kids and completed 90 hours of work experience in a potential career path!

“It was a privilege to be a part of their journey into the working world!” says Kayli Troelsen, ECE Volunteer Coordinator. “We greatly appreciate their willingness to learn, interest in child development and enthusiasm they brought this summer.”

Troelsen adds, “We couldn’t have done this without the coordinators at NEXT. Their collaboration and assistance made this a positive learning experience for us all!”

Even though the summer internship program has wrapped up, ESD 112 Early Care and Education is always looking for community members (parents, teachers, high school students, college students, retirees, etc.) to come visit ECE centers and teach kids something new. If you are interested, sign up as a volunteer.