Educate Youth not only believes in the importance of education, but also in giving back to the community. One of the ways we support both is by hosting students from Eastern Michigan University to complete their internships. We work with undergraduate students from the School of Social Work who complete their placements working with students at the Clubhouse, as well as seniors studying Communication from the Communication, Media & Theatre Arts department who complete their Academic Service Learning Projects by fulfilling different communications related needs Educate Youth has. After initial placement, Educate Youth sometimes sees these students again for their final internships or throughout graduate school.
By hosting students from EMU, our students get the opportunity to see where their hard work can take them, and our interns have the opportunity to learn from our students.
Below, we have some testimonials and projects that have been completed by our EMU students.
“I picked Educate Youth for my placement because I wanted to work with teenagers and experience something different from the volunteer work I had already done. I enjoyed my time at Educate Youth, especially seeing everyone come together in circle each day. I learned a lot from the students, especially that everyone needs different things and they are all unique in their own way.”
Maria Garcia, Class of 2024, Eastern Michigan University, B.S. Social Work
SWRK 350L2 ~ Generalist Social Work Practice: Organizations and Communities, Summer 2023
Educate Youth Poem My time with Educate Youth has been profound. Seeing young adults come into themselves in such a short time, especially since mentoring brings purpose to my life. My admiration could potentially be interpreted as extremely sublime. Being in their presence has been divine and aided in my recovery from a hopeless convalescence. Because of Kiki, I know the world will have one more strong black woman. Because of Alex, I know the world will have one more intellectual. Because of Lucinda I know the world will have one more funny warrior. Because of Justin, I know the world will have one more witty, compassionate and tenacious individual eager to help others. Because of Jordan I know the world will have one more positive and unpredictable soul. Because of Ramses I know the world will have one more motivated young black man. Because of DeShawn, I know the world will have one more hardworking, resilient, and strong young man. Because of EJ, I know the world will have one more determined artist. Because of Kendall, I know the world will have one more tenacious woman extending a helping hand. And because of Gail, I know the world will have one more passionate, loving, and caring person ready to Educate Youth.
MacKenzie Hart, Class of 2023. Eastern Michigan University, B.A. Communication.
COMM 459L2 ~ Communication Capstone, Winter 2023
Kendall Johnstone, Class of 2023. Eastern Michigan University, M.A. Communication.
COMM 540 ~ Persuasion for Social Change, Winter 2022
“I had actually picked a different organization to work with for my Capstone project, but after hearing of Educate Youth from another classmate, was intrigued by the Clubhouse and decided to switch my placement. I had initially viewed my Capstone as requirement to graduate and nothing more, but loved coming to the Clubhouse once a week to work with the students, and found pride in my project, creating the Student Handbook. Ypsilanti is my hometown, which emphasized the value that I saw in the Educate Youth program. If I could do go back in time, I would still choose Educate Youth, but would want to spend more time at the Clubhouse and with the students.”
Jenna Hawkins, Class of 2021. Eastern Michigan University, B.A. Communication.
COMM 459L2 ~ Communication Capstone, Fall 2021