ROOTS INTERNSHIP

Our Roots paid internship program created opportunities for 26 East Oakland high school students to develop professional skills and a positive sense of self. Roots interns worked as Instructor Aids in Oakland Leaf’s after-school programs where they learned how to create and maintain a creative educational space for young students. Interns provided academic support, held space for social-emotional development, and served as mentors. Interns also participated in trainings and coaching sessions designed to support their leadership and social-emotional development, as well as their college and career readiness. Over the summer, interns participated in team building activities, developed and implemented community impact projects, and served as Instructor Aids for the Oakland Peace Camp.

“I am a living example of the kind of impact Oakland Leaf has on the young people we invest in. I was an after-school program participant, an intern, an instructor, a program assistant, and now I am the program manager of an internship program that I helped to create. And there have been so many Oakland Leaf staff who started out as program participants. This pipeline is intentional. It reflects a commitment to creating consistent opportunities for growth and leadership inside the organization. It’s also a reflection of our priority on relationship and community building. We actually started Roots because the young people were telling us they wanted more concrete opportunities to stay involved after they aged out of the after-school programs. Our commitment to Oakland youth is much bigger than the timeline of one program. Leaf love is for life.”

Genesis Rodriguez, Roots Program Manager

“The best part for me about the internship has been getting to meet

and connect with new people and also just having the opportunity to share my voice and help out.”

Corion, Roots Intern 2019-20

“Before joining Roots, I was doing very little to nothing when it came to being part of my community and helping improve it. Roots has helped me realize that working with youth, especially elementary school students is something I’m interested in for my career in the medical field. This internship has been a support system that I am so grateful for. It’s something a lot of high school students lack. They have helped me establish goals and helped me reach them.

The internship has helped me develop and improve skills like time management, group work, interpersonal skills, personal finances, and professional networking. Through the internship I am able to provide assistance and be a role model to kids of the similar background as me, and that’s something really important.”

Kendy, Roots Intern 2019-20

“Interning with Oakland Leaf gave me the confidence to know I can manage a classroom and I can make a real difference in the lives of my students. Now, as an Instructor, I am committed to helping to close the opportunity gaps my students face. A lot of my students come in not knowing their letters or how to pronounce words and I am always challenging myself to find new, fun ways to help improve their literacy. I also love creating opportunities for my students to do hands-on projects that allow them to tap into their creativity, and at the same time develop their motor skills and their confidence. The students get so excited to see us after a long day of classes. As someone who grew up in this neighborhood and knows the struggles my students face, it means so much to me to be able to be there for them in this way.”

Kimberly, former Roots Intern and current Oakland Leaf After-school Program Instructor”

‘MUCH LOVE’ FOR ROOTS INTERN CINDY

BY ERIKA CARDONA, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM MANAGER

I want to appreciate Cindy, a Roots Intern that supports our afterschool program at Learning without Limits. Cindy’s younger brother was in the program and sometimes Cindy would be the one to pick him up. She saw our interns helping out and one day Cindy just took it upon herself to start helping the kids in the program with their homework. It turns out Cindy has all these leadership qualities and organizational skills that no one was really noticing or encouraging in other parts of her life. She is incredibly organized and detail oriented - whatever task or project you give her she gives 100% and exceeds everyone’s expectations. She’s also really nurturing and funny and the students adore her. Soon after she began volunteering, I encouraged Cindy to apply for our paid internship program and she has been interning ever since.

Like Cindy, my parents immigrated to this country from Central America. I recognized right away the heavy burden she was carrying around because of the gender expectations in her family. I saw that she wanted something different for herself and that this was really hard for her. Cindy is so sharp and such a hardworking and engaged learner but she was being told she should be focusing more on cooking and cleaning and taking care of her siblings than her studies. One day early on in Cindy’s internship, she walked into the classroom carrying this manilla folder and she pulled me aside and said she wanted to show me something. She pulled out two certificates - an honors award and a state academic achievement award. She had this expression of pure joy on her face. She was so happy. Something clicked in me and since then I have made it my personal mission to get everyone in her life - including Cindy herself - to recognize and appreciate her for the amazing person that she is. When her Dad would be the one to pick up her brother, I would pull him aside and say “How awesome is it that you have this brilliant daughter who is going to college and is going to be a huge success!”.

Through Oakland Leaf, Cindy has found the courage to speak her truth and say “School is something I care about and that I’m really really good at. I can be a good daughter and sister and ALSO be a good student”. Cindy’s personal growth and belief in herself has been such a blessing to support and witness.