Roots Internship

“I started interning with Oakland Leaf when I was in 6th grade. I hosted afterschool program student showcases, helped kids with their homework, and did spanish translation. I’ve learned so many new skills and I’ve grown so much from working with Roots for the past five years. I am a much better communicator and I am more confident, independent, and organized.”

— Lucia, 10th grade Roots intern

Our Roots paid internship program created leadership development opportunities for 20 East Oakland high school students. Roots interns worked as Instructor Aids in our virtual after-school programs where they learned how to create and maintain a creative educational space for young students. Interns led zoom breakout rooms, facilitated check-ins and other activities, provided administrative and tech support, and served as tutors and mentors for program participants.

“I have always been an introverted person, but the Roots program helped me step out of my comfort zone and use my voice to advocate for myself and other students. I have grown as a leader, speaker, and advocate, and I’ve created long-lasting mentorships and friendships”.

— Jasmine, 12th grade Roots intern

Interns also participated in trainings and coaching sessions, team-building activities, and community impact projects designed to support their social-emotional and professional development, as well as their college and career readiness. As part of a professional development speaker series, interns had the opportunity to learn from and dialogue with diverse professionals in the youth development and education sectors.

We supported all of our senior interns with their college application processes and all thirteen of them were accepted to, and enrolled in, colleges and universities, including seven different UC and Cal state universities.

A major highlight of the year for Roots interns was preparing for and participating in the 17th Annual California Afterschool Challenge. As part of this statewide day of action, interns met virtually with state legislators to share how out-of-school time programs have directly impacted them and their communities, and to advocate for an expansion of state funding. To prepare, interns carried out extensive research and participated in public speaking coaching sessions.

“For almost ten years I’ve been hiring and supporting the youth that come out of Oakland Leaf. What you get from a youth participant coming from Oakland Leaf is an empowered youth. You get a youth that cares about their community, has a high level of leadership skills, and a desire and a passion to change the adverse effects of institutional racism in our communities.”

— Frederick Douglass Mesa, Director of Expanded Learning at East Bay Asian Youth Center