Youth Service, Inc. is lucky enough to have summer interns helping us make an impact in the communities we serve. Ebony Smith is interning with our Executive Assistant.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. Where and what are you studying?
My my name is Ebony Smith, I am a single mother of four; I work a full time job as a bus attendant/transition worker for the School District of Philadelphia, and I am also a full time student at Community College of Philadelphia. I am studying Behavioral Health/Human Services (BHHS). This is my last semester at CCP before I will receive my associates degree in BHHS. This fall I will be attending Chestnut Hill College where I will be working towards earning my bachelors and masters degrees within the next three years.
Q: What is your goal as an intern?
As a student intern, my goals are to assist with community outreach, and gathering resource materials for several YSI programs.
Q: What is your main project during your time at YSI?
My main project at this point has been finding resources for the teen success program and helping with outreach efforts.
Q: Did you know about YSI prior to starting your internship? If not, what would be one suggestion for a place to publicize information about the agency?
Before interning at YSI I had never even heard of YSI. I think one good place to publicize YSI would be the state rep’s office’s. A lot of people frequents those offices just to pick up information.
Q: Why did you choose YSI when you were looking for a place to intern?
I think I chose YSI because of Ms. Megan’s positive energy when I spoke to her over the phone before coming in for an interview.
Q: Why do you think it is important to intern at YSI?
I think it was important for me to intern at YSI because I plan to start my own non-profit program with youth when I finish school. This is giving me a lot of hands on experience of what to expect. It also has given me a different perspective of the human service industry, and lastly it gave me an opportunity to give back, which is one of the things I love to do.