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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.
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