Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-summit-on-rural-youth-engagement-tickets-294023591477
The 2022 Central Oregon Summit of Rural Youth Engagement will be jam packed with movers and shakers from communities across Oregon and the United States. Each speaker brings a unique range of experiences & expertise, but they all have one thing in common: a passion for the success and development of the youth in their communities! If you also share this passion, this event is looking for attendees like you. The summit will dive into the following topics:
- Youth Entrepreneurship
- Infrastructure & Spaces Designed For and With Youth
- Paid Skill Building & Mentorship
SPEAKERS:
Growing Up Boulder: GUB has a vision for child friendly communities. They are committed to empowering and involving youth in local planning and decisions. Deryn Wagner, GUB Senior Project Manager, will be joining us to showcase the process for involving youth, the spaces they have co-designed with youth, and the incredible outcomes of this work.
Youth CareerConnect: YCC is a regional initiative that provides Internship opportunities for high school and college age students. Through these opportunities, local employers provide “real-world” work experience for students. YCC has simplified the process for industry education by connecting Central Oregon students to relevant career opportunities through local Internships. YCC aims to achieve a “work-ready” labor force through successful placements of young adults in Internships. Debbie Taylor, Jefferson County Internship Coordinator, will join a panel of mentorship and skill building enthusiasts to dive into the ins and outs of internship programs and opportunities.
Network Kansas: Network Kansas, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to making entrepreneurship a priority for economic and community development in the state of Kansas. In 2013, they piloted the inaugural Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series, coordinating local-level hands-on entrepreneurship competitions for students in grades 7-12. Year after year, the YEC series has continued to add local events to serve greater numbers of young people, driven by interest from local volunteers committed to providing their youth access to experiential entrepreneurship learning. Amara Kniep and Sarah LaRosh will be joining us to talk about the fundamentals of the YEC series, and its successful growth.
Stream Lab Makerspace: The STREAM Lab, a project of the Community Services Consortium in Independence, Oregon, is an interactive learning environment focused on science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math. It provides access to a wide variety of technologies, from industrial embroidery machines to 3D, laser and large format printers, to local youth free of cost. These technologies are paired with entrepreneurship and business development programming that creates a collaborative approach to learning and multiple pathways to future employment and entrepreneurial success. Their fearless leaders will be joining us to talk about the design and development of the project, from initial funding to current, permanent location.
Heart of Oregon Corps: HOC has a simple, but impactful focus: provide vocational training and continuing education to opportunity youth ages 16-24. Their work offers significant, life-altering opportunities to local young people who need and deserve them. They have a WORK, EARN, LEARN model to create pathways out of poverty for youth and encourage self-sufficiency. Their impact is multifold; in addition to teaching youth job skills, the projects they work on help to keep our community beautiful and healthy, while the wages they earn stimulate regional economic growth. We will be joined by Robin Alonzo and Allison Hinkle, who will share their deep knowledge and wisdom on the Paid Skill-Building Panel.
Polk County Community Services Consortium: The Polk County CSC Youth Program offers a variety of services and experiences to help build skills for the future and engage youth in career exploration. Beyond their foundational services in skill building, employment , education, and training, they have developed excellent amenities like their makerspace and the youth garden. We are thrilled to bring Josh Hjelmberg, the youth program’s Technology Teacher, to speak to the innovative and exciting youth development opportunities offered in their county.
COIC Youth Compass Program: The Youth Compass Program has been the recipient of Department of Labor’s Workforce funding for over 25 years! They deliver both Educational and Employment and Training services to youth 16-24 years of age in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties. Youth are trained in a variety of formats, including paid Forest Conservation internships to instill both Occupational and Work Readiness skills. Gloria Fallini, Youth Employment Counselor, will be joining the Paid Skill Building panel with endless passion for this topic area.