Wedgwood Christian Services-Positive Youth Development Department
Internship Opportunities

Wedgwood Christian Services has a variety of Positive Youth Development programs serving Kent County youth, ages 12 to 18. Our prevention efforts target youth, helping them to make healthy choices in abstaining from sex, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Program opportunities for interns to assist prevention staff are in the following research-based curriculums.

  • Botvin Life Skills:  A research based curriculum that targets substance abuse prevention and is taught in an experiential format. The curriculum is taught in over 40 sites throughout Kent County to youth between the ages of 12 to 18. The group sites are located in schools-during and after school hours, in community centers, and in churches. Experiential learning formats are incorporated alongside of curriculum in order to engage and educate youth.
  • T.E.E.N.S on Track:  A year round program which integrates an asset-based curriculum, youth community service and parent/family outreach. Currently there are 8 clubs running in Kent County after school at church or community based sites, serving youth ages 12-18. Again the learning format is experiential based.
  • ACE (Abstinence, character based education:  Using the research based curriculum, Sex Can Wait, in combination with medically and statistically accurate information, Kent County youth age 12-18 are taught the benefits of abstinence until marriage.  Groups are locating in schools during and after school hours in an effort to complete the 9 session curriculum.  In addition, middle school students who complete the program are able to participate in a ropes course experience, while high school students attend an all-program youth rally.

In addition to these opportunities in curriculum development and implementation, interns also have the opportunity to participate in several enhancement programs.  The following programs creatively and innovatively educate and encourage Kent County youth to make healthy decisions.

  • Pure Passion for Fashion:  A community awareness event that uses spring fashion as a platform and fresh approach to teaching Michigan’s Kent County youth that abstinence can give more than it takes away. Pure Passion for Fashion is a collaborative community effort that: promotes sexual abstinence until marriage to our youth and our community,  shares hip and trendy fashion styles that enhance inner and outer beauty, and  offers the community an opportunity to invest in their youth’s physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being.

                  As an intern with Pure Passion for Fashion:

                  --participate in the production and direction of actual event

                  --assist in the development of a Pure Passion for Fashion curriculum

                  --assist in communicating and coordinating with local schools to bring P2 to their site

                  --assist in communicating and coordinating with other communities in Michigan to bring P2 to their  

                  community.

                  --assist in marketing of P2 throughout the county and state.

 

  • Abstinence and the Arts: Positive Youth Development and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) will partner to provide 60 community youth with an opportunity to produce artwork that expresses a message of sexual abstinence until marriage to prevent pregnancies and STD based on their personal experiences and learning.  Through numerous art form options, participants will compile their work into an art exhibit which will travel to schools and/or community sites and expos over the course of the year.

                  As an intern with Abstinence and the Arts:

                  --assist in the facilitation of abstinence education classes

                  --participate in the facilitation of the Art Therapy classes.

                  --assist in marketing and production of the Art Exhibit

                  --assist in communicating and coordinating with schools & community organizations in order to bring the 

                    Art Exhibit to their site.

 

  • Breakdown: In the new generation of “Edutainment”, Breakdown will be bringing the message of self control and hope to young people looking for the REAL thing.  Through music, hip-hop dance, drama, inspirational speaking and video, a team of young people will be bringing a positive message of integrity, character, and purity to their peers all across Kent County.

                  As an intern with BREAKDOWN:

                 --participate in coordinating dance, drama, or technological support in rehearsals & performances.

                 --assist in communicating and coordinating with local schools, churches, and service organizations to    

                 bring BREAKDOWN to their site.

                 --assist with marketing and awareness of the program.

                 --learn and assist in facilitating abstinence education courses with youth involved in performance.

These internship opportunities would best fit students with a major/minor and/or interest in psychology, social work, community collaboration and change and/or education. The hours of programming are both school hours (9 AM to 3 PM) and after-school hours (3:00 PM to 5:30 PM), Monday through Friday. An internship can consist of 3 to 40 hours/weekly, depending on the student intern’s needs and schedule. Programs run year round.

Our offices are located at 2520 Eastern Ave. Grand Rapids, MI  49507. We service youth directly in the community. Sites are located throughout Kent County. Wedgwood offers many professional training opportunities that are free to intern students.