SYM Intern Reflection

Sym Newsletter Submission June 2026

I am very grateful to have spent this Spring quarter volunteering with Street Youth Ministries. My learning objective for this internship was to understand and participate in the programs Street Youth Ministries offers including the structures and management of those programs. I chose SYM because I volunteered with them in the past and wanted to update my knowledge of how things are for homeless youth today. Also to understand the partnership that Street Youth Ministries now has with five other agencies in the University District. The University District Youth Care Collective Partners include ROOTS, Teen Feed, SYM, Doorway Project, Ryther, and Interagency Schools. Young people take part in wraparound services and get support though this partnership.  Studying the Volunteer Manual and working alongside staff to serve the youth gave me a good understanding of the daily activities of the organization. It was fun to participate in the daily tasks of serving breakfast; working in the drop-in center; serving at the yearly fundraiser and resource fair; and attending the monthly staff huddle of the partner organizations.

Because SYM serves youth who are unhoused and at-risk with a Breakfast Program and a Drop-in Center as well as Case Management it aligns with my passion for Social Justice. I am proud that SYM continues to be a partner of my church University Pres. Experiencing their approach of support and solidarity with youth has been a great teacher for me. In all circumstances their goal is to support youth with compassion; giving them life skills for a better future.