Internship program breaks barriers for young people most affected by inequities
King County is helping to break down barriers to well-paid jobs and career success for young people through an innovative internship and mentorship program that intentionally prioritizes young people with the greatest needs.
The Lift Every Youth Employment & Mentorship Program aims to help youth and young adults who are disproportionately affected by discrimination, bias and oppression. These conditions lead greater barriers to meaningful employment, post-secondary education opportunities, and impact overall health and life outcomes.
“One of the meta-goals is to ensure the county is playing its role as an employer to help disrupt the school to prison pipeline,” said Arun Sambataro, the Equity Strategies Manager for the Office of Equity and Social Justice in King County. “We specifically partner with organizations that serve youth who are exposed to higher vulnerabilities that range from being out of school, evictions and homelessness, and intergenerational poverty, to domestic violence and juvenile probation and detention.”
Sambataro explained that through paid internships and mentorship to the County can engage young people in public service while helping them see employment as more than a paycheck: as a learning, supportive, and welcoming experience where they can explore a wide range of careers.
“It important they learn about their strengths, their potential, and their capacity to be leaders,” said Sambataro.
The program, which began in 2017, was developed by the very groups that engage in the program, ensuring that groups most affected by the inequities helped design approaches that work for them. Even some of the youth who participated in the first year were involved in focus groups that helped design and enhance the program.
For applicants to be eligible they must be at least 14 years old and participate in one of the following programs: The King County Superior Court’s Education and Employment Training Program, community partner Choose 180, King County YouthSource, King County’s Zero Youth Detention Peacemaking Circle Pilot, or be a returning participant from the year prior.
Applying is the first step for anyone that wants to be involved in the program. King County goes through a competitive application, interview and hiring process facilitated by case managers and King County employee mentors. Once selected for the program by the employee mentors, the interns engage with a team of three mentors, one primary and two supportive, in a field of work that they are interested in pursuing. These mentors help them identify short- and long-term career goals as well as strategies to achieve their goals, which include completing a specific internship project with the employee mentors.
“We intentionally recruit mentors who actively engage in racial equity work and have some fundamental competencies to be able to prepare these young people to navigate our workplaces and institution effectively. From there, mentors go through 12-15 hours of additional skill-building and preparation,” said Sambataro. “The mentorship is the most heavily weighted part of this experience. The trust and relationship that is built between the interns and their mentors is likely stronger than most lessons learned from doing a project.”
The interns also attend job readiness training, complete King County’s Restorative Justice Conflict Mediation Training and Certification for Youth, and attend King County Equity and Social Justice trainings as part of the program.
Lift Every Youth is also changing the way that internships are perceived at King County and other similar institutions.
“When I mention the word “intern”, our organization, our codes, and people have a very consistent stereotype of what that means – and to reframe these stereotypes was at times challenging,” said Sambataro. “Our usual internship opportunities are designed to work really well for white, college-educated, well-connected and well-to-do students, and less well for our youth and young people of color, regardless of education and income. But actually anyone can be an intern and should have the opportunity to be exposed to what an internship offers.”
Sambataro says that she is looking to expand the program next year to allow for 15 interns. Agencies are expected to build in the internship funds within their existing budgets to take part in the program.
“I do this program because I really love connecting with the mentors and the youth,” said Sambataro. “It is one of the highlights of my experience. This is something that is really obvious – it’s directly impacting our communities with the greatest needs, where we are wanting to prioritize our investments, time, and resources to see better, more equitable outcomes.”
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More food trucks, games, music and more at City Hall Park
Today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Paparepas food truck will be out at City Hall Park next to the Courthouse Building serving Venezuelan arepas, empanadas, and its famous quesillo dessert and tequeños. Thursday, the Mobile Mayan will be at the park serving fresh, authentic Mexican food. And Friday, check out Don Lucho’s as they serve traditional Peruvian dishes as sandwiches.
Theo’s Gyros is one of a number of food trucks now coming to City Hall Park.
The trucks will be in City Hall Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. between 3rd and 4th Avenues, just south of the Courthouse Building. You can see the upcoming food truck schedule here.
Today and every day, Monday through Friday, a park concierge will be on-site from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There’ll be giant chess, cornhole and other games, bistro furniture and Adirondack chairs, and buskers from noon to 4 p.m.
This effort is part of the Courthouse Vicinity Improvement effort – a partnership between King County, the City of Seattle, Downtown Emergency Service Center at The Morrison, Downtown Seattle Association’s Metropolitan Improvement District, Alliance for Pioneer Square and Sound Transit – to improve the safety and cleanliness around the Courthouse for employees, visitors and residents of the area. So come out and enjoy the park and support these local businesses!
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Beware of Caller ID spoofing
Caller ID spoofing – the practice where a caller masquerades as someone else by falsifying the number that appears on the recipient’s caller ID display – is on the rise.
King County phone numbers are randomly being impacted by the robocallers using these spoofed numbers. KCIT is aware of the issue – so there is no need to inform the Help Desk – but they are unable to stop the calls. If you know the call is a spoofed phone number, do not answer the call. Below are some tips from the Federal Communications Commission to avoid spoofing scams.
You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Be extremely careful about responding to any request for personal identifying information.
- Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer such a call, hang up immediately.
- If you answer the phone and the caller – or a recording – asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, you should just hang up. Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.
- Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “Yes” or “No.”
- Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious.
- If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company’s or government agency’s website to verify the authenticity of the request. You will usually get a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a legitimate source, particularly if the caller is asking for a payment.
- Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.
- If you have a voice mail account with your phone service, be sure to set a password for it. Some voicemail services are preset to allow access if you call in from your own phone number. A hacker could spoof your home phone number and gain access to your voice mail if you do not set a password.
- Talk to your phone company about call blocking tools they may have and check into apps that you can download to your mobile device to block unwanted calls. Information on available robocall blocking tools is available at fcc.gov/robocalls.
More information is available at this link: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id
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Monitoring beach water keeps people and animals safe
Before heading out to your favorite swimming hole this summer you may want to check in on King County’s Swim Beach Monitoring Program to see if there is any bacteria or algal lurking in the water that could make you sick.
“There may be multiple bacterial sources for high fecal coliform counts,” states Debra Bouchard, senior limnologist and water quality planner with King County Water and Land Resources Division. “Potential sewage spills are the highest concern because of the increased risk of transferring disease from a human source.”
Pond scum at Lake Ketchum.
Other risks include fecal contamination from waterfowl, dogs and cats, surface run-off from poorly drained grassy areas adjacent to the beach, high concentrations from nearby creeks, and poor water circulation in the swimming area may contribute to high bacterial counts. Algal blooms are also a hazard that swimmers need to be aware of before entering the water, as some algal species can present potential health risks to people and animals when in bloom.
“Some beaches are more prone to toxic algae blooms due to high nutrients, wind conditions, shallow water, and poor circulation,” said Bouchard. “Algae and bacteria tend to accumulate in protected coves that are less flushed out by water movement.”
Residents can help prevent bacteria from growing in local swim beaches by not taking dogs to public swimming beaches (there is a fine for having dogs on public beaches in Seattle), properly disposing of pet waste, ensuring children are taken to restroom facilities often, and not feeding geese or ducks in local parks.
“If geese spend less time at the parks, there will be fewer feces and the bacterial load will decrease,” said Bouchard. “Park personnel and the King County Marine Patrol have replaced the practice of washing duck and geese feces off of the walkways and into the swimming area.”
Most swimming beaches have their water quality tested weekly by environmental specialists from the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks from mid-May to mid-September. The beach monitoring program monitors 27 freshwater beaches, 19 funded by King County and eight funded by the cities of Shoreline, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Kenmore, and Maple Valley via interagency agreements.
While funding restrictions limit the number of beaches that King County’s monitoring program can monitor routinely for bacteria and algal toxin, the state has a Toxic Algae Program that allow anyone to send in a sample for algal toxin testing.
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Employees of Color Share Their Stories of Racism
Earlier this year the King County ESJ Literary Project invited employees of color to share stories of times they were affected by racism. The project reflects King County’s commitment to addressing the historical and persistent inequities in our communities that result from race. Such inequities are experienced by the county’s own employees, both on and off the job.
The project received more than two dozen stories, which are available now to read at http://untoldstoryproject.blog.
Sign up to attend one of the performances in which local poets and performance artists will read aloud the untold stories of racism. Each performance will be different, with the stories divided up among the three dates. Employees are encouraged to sign up for the performance that best fits their work location and schedule.
Performances are directed by writer, actor, and storyteller Jekeva Phillips. Each performance will include a discussion with the audience about the stories and the issues they raise. Natasha Marin, poet, conceptual artist, and community-builder, will facilitate the discussions.
Performance dates and locations
September 20, 2018, 1:30-3:30 pm
Alvine Room, Elections Office
Renton
8th Floor Conference Room
King Street Center, Seattle
Tateuchi Story Theatre
Wing Luke Museum
719 S. King Street, Seattle
Read the opening paragraph of a few of the stories below. The links will take you to the full stories.
I grew up in Southeast Alaska, in an environment of land loss, racism, and poverty. But at the same time, our community is very proud and continues to fight for justice, self-determination, and tribal sovereignty. I am Pamela Stearns. My traditional name is Kajaastee.
From Alaska Indigenous Resurgence by Pamela Stearns
I was a child farmworker. My family immigrated to this country. My parents came first and I came at the age of two or three. There were nine of us in the family and we all had to help out picking fruit. We harvested apples, strawberries and blueberries, and cut asparagus.
From Child Farmworker by Jose Reyna
I was working for a hospital in Enumclaw, one of the only people of color there. The other person of color worked in the kitchen. I worked in the ER and registration. I had this one doctor who wouldn’t talk to me. When she needed my help, she would go and ask another person to come and ask me to help her. She would never address me directly.
From Cultured by Shai Malone
I am a Mexican immigrant. I’ve lived in Washington State for almost thirty years. I have been working with King County for 24 out of those 30 years. I feel very fortunate that I have come across amazing people who have provided me with many opportunities, but I have also experienced racism as a person of color, as an immigrant. Maybe in subtle ways, maybe not as aggressive as others have faced. But it’s still there. Often.
From Speak vs. Talk: The Vocabulary You Use Defines You by Penny Lara
Growing up in Memphis during the era of the King assassination meant being socialized to the ins and outs of white domination, without having to learn a single word of it. As a girl, I heard from my grandmother, who grew up in the Mississippi Delta, the importance of certain customs of the South, and that to be Black and ignore these customs was to invite danger to yourself and your front door.
From White Domination VS. White Supremacy: Why Precision in Language is Key to Dismantling Racism by Cecelia Hayes
The ESJ Literary Project is a joint effort of the Solid Waste and Wastewater divisions.
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Employee Discounts to Husky Football
Employees can buy discounted seats for two upcoming University of Washington football games this season: Saturday, September 29, against Brigham Young University, and Saturday, November 3, against Stanford.
Click here to go directly to the discounted seats, which are scattered across Husky Stadium. In addition to discounted ticket prices, employees will also avoid the normal single game prices and fees.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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The community that farms together, stays together
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
Hidden on the South Treatment Plant lies a small oasis known as the CitySoil Farm. This pleasant surprise comes as a vast scenic change from the surrounding industrial area and brings a different sense of life to the plant.
Located on a previously unused 1.5 acre plot, the CitySoil Farm has transformed the vacant space into urban agriculture that is dedicated to environmental education and sustainable farming. Through this teaching farm, King County and its non-profit partners hope to see a future where environmental education can lead to an increase in community participation and sustainable food systems.
At this farm, you can receive a free tour and not only learn about sustainable farming, but learn about things like recycled water recycled water and Loop.
What is recycled water or Loop? Recycled water is odor-free water produced onsite at the plant that enriches the soil and protects our waterways, and Loop is a natural fertilizer and soil builder, also produced onsite that recycles the nutrients in our food back into the soil. Through this usage of Loop biosolids has come the commercial product GroCo compost which is a local and recyclable alternative to chemical fertilizers that boosts plant growth and replenishes the soil. By demonstrating the sustainable resources used at the farm, we are encouraging conversations and spreading awareness of how we should manage our nutrient and waste streams.
Those who volunteer at the farm are free to harvest the food while they work, but most of the product from the farm is donated to local food banks such as the Renton Food Bank and White Center Food Bank. In fact, very recently the summer interns at WTD were able to tour the teaching farm and native tree nursery. There at the farm, the interns were able to harvest figs, plums, apples, and veggies and apply mulch between the garden rows for water retention and weed suppression. Everything that was harvested by the interns was donated to the White Center Food Bank, which receives thousands of pounds a year from the CitySoil Farm.
This farm couldn’t have been possible without the four-way partnership between King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division and King Conservation District, Tilth Alliance, and DIRT Corps. Without this communication and organization between the partners, our strong ability to interact with the community would not be possible. Through this partnership we are able to give under privileged groups access to resources they may not otherwise have.
The partnership has brought stronger community involvement and participation at the farm, heightened accessibility, and created a larger platform for ideas around sustainability.
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The importance of STEM
KCIT Chief Information Officer Tanya Hannah delivered a baccalaureate address July 25 to graduates and students attending Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church in Seattle.
Hannah urged the young people to consider careers in STEM fields, noting that artists, geographers and writers can combine technology with their passions for well-paying, absorbing careers.
“It’s all part of STEM. STEM careers offer fun, compelling, important work,” Hannah said. “It’s work that pays well. It’s work that can change the world. And it’s time people of color take their rightful place at the technology table to help shape our future.”
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Kudos! to FMD for the DPD moves
Staff from Public Defense’s The Defenders Association Division moved in with the rest of their colleagues at the Dexter Horton Building last month. TDA Division leadership shared their appreciation for the great work Facilities Management Division did in a note:
The Dexter Horton Building
“FMD movers did an outstanding job moving a majority of containers and furniture Friday night. They were methodical, professional and skilled in doing the move job. IT team members were patient, calm and very helpful. The DPD Operations team and FMD team members were busy answering questions and helping staff find their offices and items. Due to your team’s dedicated work, [we] were able to carry on our work the very first day as we did at Central Building. There were a few technical glitches and a few tweaks needed to be made. It would not have been possible without your skilled team members’ help.”
Kudos, FMD!
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King County District Court Community Court Program
King County Community Court seeks to go beyond punitive actions to identify and address the underlying challenges of court participants that may contribute to further criminal activity. The hearings are held at Redmond Library instead of a traditional courtroom. This setting is less intimidating and allows the judge to be seated at eye-level with those being spoken with.
The court addresses things like theft, shoplifting, trespassing, and other low-level offenses. Traditionally punitive action is taken against crimes like these, which don’t address why the crime is happening. In this courtroom members have the opportunity to sign up at the community resource center next door for services such as drug and alcohol treatment and employment services. This approach allows people to get services connected to the underlying issues and foster a community of growth.
Click on the video above to hear from Judge Paglisotti and Community Court Program team members.
Employee News 