By Jon Moskin
In a world where negativity often seems to dominate the headlines, it’s refreshing to witness the power of youthful enthusiasm and dedication.
This summer, our San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (Campus) hosted three cohorts of high school and college-aged interns who were given hands-on opportunities to serve our SFCJL community, and their eagerness and earnest desire to learn lifted the spirits of our residents and their mentors alike.
“They did it all”
– Key Shade, SFCJL Director of Volunteer Services
A dozen students from three separate internship programs worked in departments ranging from IT and finance to nursing and rehab services. “The point was to make sure that they could see the ins and outs and how a healthcare facility is run,” Key said. They did that… and then some.
They came to us from three of our community partners: Enterprise for Youth, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, and Youth Mental Health Academy. And a good deal of their success can be attributed to the fact that, in addition to fully subsidizing the internships, all three organizations provided thorough job training workshops before the students even stepped on campus, enabling them to hit the ground running.
And when they arrived, they were kept busy. A typical day connected them with experienced professionals in various departments across the campus, where they received a mix of hands-on instruction and mentorship.
“Everyone around me truly was a role model,” said Ava White, a high school senior with the JFCS internship partnership who hopes to apply to medical school. In addition to working in memory care, skilled nursing, and rehab, she was given the opportunity to write blogs about issues she cared about and had substantive interactions with our residents every day. “The experience gave me confidence and increased my knowledge of the healthcare system,” she said. “I learned trust, patience, how to be an active listener… and, most importantly, interpersonal skills… which I think will guide me when I apply to college next year.” Key agrees with that sentiment.
“You know, when students come, they’re usually shy and reluctant to ask questions, but by the end, these interns really found their groove. And you could see that they’ve become so much more confident in their jobs and especially in their communication. I’m incredibly proud of them. They were the crème de la crème.”
– Key Shade
One of the most heartening qualities of this cohort of future professionals was how they embraced the SFCJL’s mission and vision: “Compassion, community and excellence” were not just words on a website for these young people. Student after student shared how the professionalism and care displayed by their mentors directly led to their implementing these values into their own interactions with both staff and residents.
“I learned that interacting with residents is very rewarding. It wasn’t just part of my job. I got to be a part of their lives,” said Axel Keegstra, JFCS internship partnership, high school sophomore at Jewish Community High School of the Bay who spent time in the advancement department, as well as in memory care, life enrichment, long-term rehab, information technology, and human resources. “And everyone was so compassionate…. I saw how connecting with the residents makes this community strong… I could feel it… They really try to make this the best place to be… and I’m so thankful.”
That sort of gratitude for the opportunity to learn, grow, and be of service was yet another trait that was shared throughout the cohort.
Emily Ramirez, an Enterprise intern, graduated this spring from high school and is starting college this fall. “Being here this summer reminded me of why I chose this path in the first place. I want to be someone who shows up for others, who listens, and who helps people feel seen and taken care of. Just like I saw so many staff doing here every day,” Emily said, adding that her experience with “a lot of amazing people” on the Campus, including residents, staff, and other interns, has propelled her dream of becoming a nurse, perhaps someday at the SFCJL.
And she wouldn’t be the only former intern to come back. In fact, one of last year’s interns, Nelson Rodriguez, is now a full-time employee, continuing his professional healthcare journey as a CNA.
“One of the goals of these programs is to provide a pathway,” Key said, noting the national shortage of healthcare professionals. “And when young people take the next step, it’s really exciting to see.”
If you would like more information about the San Francisco Campus For Jewish Living’s Internships program, view opportunities online or contact Kshade@sfcjl.org.