Photo by Andrew J.

Volunteering at Youth in Focus

Volunteers are integral to the success of Youth in Focus. Through the commitment of our volunteers, we are able to introduce our students to the value of mentoring in life, and expose them to the skills and artistry of the Seattle-area photography community. Please read below to explore the various volunteer opportunities we offer. All volunteer positions require an agency orientation and a training session about working with youth.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated passion for the Visual Arts / Visual Design
• Commitment towards at least 20 to 25 hours over a 9-week period, including:
  • Time spent in-class & on field trips with the students
  • Meetings with the Volunteer Coordinator
  • Attendance of the End-quarter Student Exhibition
• Enthusiastic about Film/Digital photography or have a basic understanding of either process
• Experience or Interest in and sensitivity towards working with culturally diverse young people
• Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner
• Energized, Motivated, Flexible

Responsibilities:

• Follow through with commitments to students and the program
• Attend to the safety and well being of participating youth
• Attend required meetings with the Volunteer Coordinator

Opportunities:

• Play a role in community empowerment
• Learn from a different perspective
• Network with local artists and photographers
• Enhance your photography skills and augment your own artistic vision
• Gain exposure for your work
• Access our facilities
• Broaden your interpersonal skills

Procedure:

• Download from the website or ask us for an application form and WSP form (background check)
• Fill out and send us the forms. (Only Section ‘C’ on the WSP form)
• Be prepared to come in for a brief interview with our Volunteer Coordinator
• Once accepted, all volunteers will go through an orientation and training session.
• Walk in to our office or call us for more information

Mentoring

Student Mentoring
One-on-one mentoring is the most popular way photographers get involved with the Youth in Focus core photography program. Mentors are assigned a current student in our entry level or intermediate classes to take on field trips, work in the darkroom, and help them develop their photographic vision.

Time commitment: 20-25 hours per quarter.

Student Mentoring requires that you meet with a student a minimum of six times during the 9-week quarter and attend their end of quarter show.

Darkroom Mentoring
During the quarter, YIF holds Open Darkrooms twice a week for students and alumni who want extra printing time. The open darkroom is staffed by volunteers and often runs from 6:30 to 8:30pm on a selected weeknight. Volunteers are asked to answer any questions the students might have about printing, developing, paper or film, and assist in the clean-up of the facility.

Time commitment: approximately 15-20 hours per quarter

Darkroom skills and special orientation are required.

Freelance Mentoring
The Freelance Project is a job-training program designed to help students at Youth in Focus further their professional opportunities, while developing their photography skills. Volunteers are paired up with students and accompany them on photographic assignments in the community. The mentors assist the photographers with questions, technical aspects, and overall support during the shoot. Assignments are often scheduled on short notice and sometimes take place during the day.

For more information on the Freelance Project, please contact our Freelance Project Manager.

Time commitment: varies, at least 4-5 hours per quarter.

Program Help

Facility Maintenance and Administrative Help:
Volunteers are needed intermittently for a variety of administrative and maintenance tasks. This can include mixing chemistry, organizing the darkroom, taking inventory, painting, archiving negatives and cleaning.

Auction
Every spring, Youth in Focus holds its annual fundraiser, the doublexposure auction. This event raises 25% of the operating costs of YIF and has become a popular event in the local photography scene. Volunteers are key in helping us make this event a success and assist in everything from pre-event planning, setting up the site prior to the auction, and staffing the event itself.

Internships
For information and availability of program internships, please contact our Operations Manager.

For information on all volunteer opportunities, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.