Peer2Peer this year – 2024
Peer2Peer redefines summer jobs through mentorships. High School senior Aseal Parra loves tech and art. Ayden Jenkins is in eleventh grade and loves communicating and sports. This past summer the two South Umpqua High School students joined talents at Brooke Communications in Roseburg. Under the guidance of sports broadcaster Joey Keeran, the duo made a radio public service announcement and commercial. They also worked on news packages, voice work and editing. Keeran’s interest in journalism began in high school.
“It’s fun to ignite that spark in other people and watch these guys take off,” he said. “They’ve done a great job taking feedback and growing from it and getting better. I’m impressed.”
Ayden said that he likes hearing Keeran on the air and learning from him.
South Umpqua High School students Aseal Parra loves and Ayden Jenkins participated in Peer2Peer and worked at Brooke Communications.
The paid mentor-mentee summer internship program provides high school students with hands-on work experience. In 2022 a team from Douglas ESD and South Umpqua School District worked together to create the program. This vocational opportunity trains youth mentors with job coaching to support peers in the Youth Transition Program. The peers work together at participating local businesses and agencies. The program receives funding from the Oregon Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Youth participating are paid through this agency.
“Before summer even starts, we’re planning, helping kids with interviews, training and placements,” said Beau Shelby, South Umpqua High School counselor and program job site coordinator. “We get to know our students to find the best match for the kids based on their interests, gifts and areas that they can grow.”
Each participating student received training before beginning their work assignments. While building friendships with each other, students learned job skills such as self-advocacy.
This summer, 40 students from South Umpqua School District and Sutherlin School District participated in Peer2Peer.
Leanna Buckley an eleventh-grade student at South Umpqua High School spent her work assignment at Adams House Assisted Living in Myrtle Creek. “I love working with people. This is helping me with social skills, like how to greet people and maintain conversations.”
Leanna worked alongside schoolmates, eleventh-graders Emilly Gallagher and recent high school graduate Olivia Redfearn. They served food, folded laundry, played games with residents and more. The peers expressed how much they loved walking with residents outside, enjoying conversations.
Executive Director for Adams House, Karen Baumgartner expressed her appreciation for the youth. “They have been wonderful to work with,” she said. “Whatever is needed, they jump in. I’ve gotten so many compliments from the residents.”
South Umpqua High School student Emilly Gallagher and recent graduate Olivia Redfearn worked together at Adams House Assisted Living.
Participating businesses and organizations included Brooke Communications, YMCA of Roseburg, Myrtle Creek Library, Adams House Assisted Living, Saving Grace Animal Shelter, Sutherlin Summer Adventures, Sutherlin Bus Barn, Sutherlin Public Works, Umpqua Valley Arts Association, Brosi Sugartree Farms and Evergreen Family Medicine.
Peer2Peer is a win-win for youth and the community. “I’ve enjoyed watching kids grow as individuals. Some students get to do things they’ve never gotten to do,” said Shelby. “Thank you to the businesses and organizations who have helped our program grow. It’s been a wonderful partnership growing with you, developing our students.”
Les Rogers, transition network facilitator at Douglas ESD, reflected on the program. “Last year was dedicated to figuring out how this program could expand to more youth throughout our region,” he said. “I give credit to the people who laid the foundation. This year we added another school district. Our goal is to continuing growing the program.”
Beth Hunter, youth development specialist for Douglas ESD, shared, “The amount of effort, teamwork and relationship building done by each youth is evident and it shows in the work that they do. The feedback we have received from the businesses has been nothing short of positive. They have also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with students. The most rewarding part for our staff is watching students bridge social gaps and gain friendships that can carry on after the program is over and the ability to see students feel successful moving forward towards their goals beyond their time in high school.”
To learn more about Peer2Peer, listen to the Living Downstream podcast episode from 2023 that features youth participants: https://americorps.podbean.com/e/episode-64-peer2peer-program/
For more information, please contact Les Rogers at les.rogers@douglasesd.k12.or.us
Meet the team – The current Peer2Peer team includes Douglas ESD employees, Les Rogers, transition network facilitator; Beth Hunter, youth development specialist; Brenda Richardson, worksite coordinator and Vicki Poore, worksite coordinator. South Umpqua School District employees consist of Beau Shelby, school counselor; Ryan Jephson, district behavior coordinator; Lori Risner, teacher and Alyce Moore, case manager and transition support. Sutherlin School District employees include Sean Radford, Sutherlin High School assistant principal and SPED teachers Matt Parrish and Michelle Kaneakua.