Interns, Mental Health Providers Inspire and Remind Us Why We Do What We Do

The last day of July was one of those days, when you get inspired and reminded why we do what we do while witnessing our colleagues, peers, and team members manifesting the mission of our department and division in real time.

At Rainier Community Center, droves of Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) interns gathered for the first-ever in-person cohort session during the summer internship. Cohort sessions aren't new to SYEP but are typically experienced during the school year Learn and Earn program. Since the beginning of the summer, cohort sessions have taken place in smaller groups and were all virtual until July 31.

The hope behind this in-person gathering was to create an experience for all interns to engage with one another as a community and to increase awareness and access to mental health resources. In my opinion, the event was a grand success on both of these goals.

The session started with skill development around conflict resolution and active listening and closed with a mental health service provider panel. The agenda was thoughtfully developed for an interactive in-person experience with representatives from three mental health/behavioral health service providers-Joon Care, Southwest Youth and Family Services, and Therapeutic Health Services. These agencies are partnering with SYEP for the first time ever, providing mental health supports to all interested interns for free. This new level of support answers the call of young people's requests for more mental health resources.

To pull off a gathering like this requires a lot of effort, coordination, creativity, adaptability, diligence, and teamwork. I want to recognize and congratulate the SYEP team (Elijah Warren, Madison Stehle, Tara Vallimont, Sarah Robertson, Thuy Dang, Jhileah Jackson, Kamal De Campos, Thuy Dang, Lupe Wilson, Barbara Thomas, and Cindy Luong, as well as Tamika Williams, who wasn't able to attend) for turning what had been a vision into reality. And they made it look easy-SYEP magic at its best. I'm always impressed, but never surprised by the accomplishments of SYEP!

The SYEP team couldn't have done it alone. I also want to extend my gratitude to Stephen Song, Gabe Manriquez, Ellen Terry, Michael Mathewson, Fredie Moore, and Cherry Flowers for their contributions to the collective success of the July 31 cohort session.

Contributor Ron Mirabueno manages the Community Services Unit in Seattle Human Services' Youth and Family Empowerment Division.