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 24-48 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
Group mentoring is the most popular way photographers get involved with the Youth in Focus core photography program. Mentors are assigned to work as a team in our entry level, intermediate or advanced classes, to take the students on an outdoor photo shoot, to work in the darkroom, and overall, play a role in developing their photographic vision.

Time commitment: 20-25 hours per quarter.

Group Mentoring requires that you meet with the students a minimum of once a week during the 9-week quarter, attend orientation and mid-quarter meeting, and attend the 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 15-30 hours per quarter

Darkroom skills and special orientation are required.

Freelance Mentoring
The Freelance Project is our job-training program designed to help students at Youth in Focus further their professional opportunities while developing photography skills. As a Mentor with The Freelance Project, you will accompany students to photo shoots, providing assistance and technical, conceptual and moral support for the student(s) working the shoot. Mentors may also assist students with post-production at the YIF digital lab.

Time commitment: Sporadic, single-occasion events. Dates and time vary according to the photo shoot.

Interview, orientation and background check required. Experience with Digital SLR cameras preferred. Experience with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop preferred but not required.

Program Help

Traveling Shows
Youth in Focus holds exhibits of student work at public venues such as the Seattle Art Museum, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle Central Community College Gallery, Safeco Headquarters, and various cafes, restaurants and public spaces in the community. Volunteers are needed to help assemble these shows and help with matting, framing, and hanging the work. There is also need for assistance with the scanning and archiving of these images for Youth In Focus' library.

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
To learn more about interning at Youth in Focus, please contact our Program Deputy.

For information on all volunteer opportunities, please contact our Program Director.