Every summer, young people try to find jobs that enable them to gain important work experience, earn money and make a difference in their communities. These days, with a dismal economy shadowing them, that quest has become more difficult.

But at Multnomah County, 53 young people are getting first-hand work experience that will help shape their lives. They come from different backgrounds, ethnicities and means. Some are working to save money for college. Others want to help their families out financially. Still others see the experience as a way to help shape a decision about a future career.

The interns at the county come from two arenas. Most notable is the Summer Youth Connect program, which has been under the leadership of Commissioner Loretta Smith for the past two years. The paid internships support key interventions that prevent students from dropping out by connecting young people to career pathways. The program, which provides each intern with a mentor, began in 2008 as a joint effort with the City of Portland.

"One of my first job opportunities came from a program like Summer Youth Connect," says Commissioner Smith. "When you can provide a young person with a chance to succeed, to gain experience and gain some self esteem, everybody in the community wins. This program is about making sure that happens."

County departments provide the other avenue for interns to gain experience. A number of departments use skilled or specialized interns to work within offices where they provide experienced support. It also gives the interns a chance to enhance their professional job skills.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Oscar Betancourt

Age: 20
Hometown: Portland
School: George Fox University
Department: County Management
Division: Assessment, Recording and Taxation
Something to know about me: “I am one of nine siblings.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to be able to appraise houses and be more familiar with house plans and Measure 50. I want to also feel comfortable with appraisal and teach people how to appraise.”

---

Rakiya Birge

Age: 17
Hometown: Cleveland, Miss.
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Human Services
Division: Community Services
Something to know about me: “I am involved with the Black Student Union through SUN.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “To gain all of the essential skills to learn how to work in the workforce.”

---

Josh Boggess

Age: 16
Hometown: Fairview
School: Reynolds High School
Department: Community Services
Division: Animal Services
Something to know about me: “I have a size 13 shoe.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want job experience to add to my resumé. I want to work with other people in groups and gain team-building skills.”

---

Travaughn (Tray) Brister

Age: 19
Hometown: Portland
School: SE Works
Department: Community Services
Division: Animal Services
Something to know about me: “I’m a sketching artist. I sketch plants, animals and abstracts. I like animals because of their variety and different furs.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to gain work experience and I’m excited to work with animals. I like animals’ personalities. It’s sad to see animals who don’t have homes. It’d be better to not have that happen at all.”

---

Shayla Brown

Age: 16
Hometown: Gresham
School: Reynolds High School
Department: Community Services
Division: Animal Services
Something to know about me: “I try to do my best at school.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to be veterinarian and I’m hoping that this job will help me gain the experience that I need."

---

Nathan Burgmeister

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: Native American Youth and Family Center
Department: Animal Services
Division: Assessment, Recording and Taxation
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I’d like to get more job skills. This is a new experience for me. Even simple things like filling out my first time sheet are exciting.”

---

Cardeana Burton

Age: 17
Hometown: Portland
School: Benson High School
Department: County Management
Division: Talent Development
Something to know about me: “I play three sports -- basketball, volleyball, track. You know how everyone has a certain character? Mine is SpongeBob SquarePants.  I’m obsessed with SpongeBob. My room is all SpongeBob. I’m on student government and involved with diversity club.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to get people in my office updated with technology, specifically Adobe, and help get the county out of the 'Dark Ages.'"

---

Ahadi Busima

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland (originally from Democratic Republic of the Congo)
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Health
Office: Health and Social Justice
Something to know about me: “I like to sing and I sang for my high school choir.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to make more improvements in my work experience and meet different people.”

---

Jose Cazaras

Age: 19
Hometown: Forest Grove
School: Warner Pacific College
Department: County Assets
Division: Information Technology
Something to know about me: “I work during the weekends at a taqueria in Beaverton.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to learn how the county works and about websites and what it takes to update. I want to get a behind-the-scenes experience of websites.”

---

Krishna Dhungel

Age: 17
Hometown: Portland
School: Centennial High School
Department: Human Services
Division: Aging and Disability
Something to know about me: “I want to be a pharmacist. I’m interested in medicine. I know that there are a lot of poor people in this world and I want to help low-income people get health care”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to learn more about health so I can use what I learn as a pharmacist.”

---

Alondra Flores

Age: 17
Hometown: San Quintin, Baja California (Mexico)
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Health
Office: Health and Social Justice
Something to know about me: “I tried out for the dance team for the first time and made the team.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to meet new people and have new experiences.”

---

Brendan Fountaine

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA)
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something to know about me: “I like to write poetry and music and writing in general. I like to go to poetry slams.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I enjoy giving back to the kids, and that’s why I work with SUN schools.”

---

Janine Gates

Age: 21
Hometown: Portland
School: Spelman College (Atlanta, GA)
Office: Chair Jeff Cogen
Something to know about me: “I would love to enter photography in the fashion industry.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to learn how the county operates, as well as see how people access the resources of the county. And maybe one day I want to work in the county as a commissioner.”

---

Kay-Lynn Green

Age: 17
Hometown: Portland
School: Centennial Learning Center
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something you should know about me: “I’m in TRIO, which is a program that provides services to help you get to school like paying for bus passes and helping you get your driver’s license. I have also successfully completed two Mt. Hood Community College classes and I’m working on a third.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I like the kids there and I have a lot of fun playing the gym games with them, but the most beneficial thing about working with the SUN program is the work experience and the job skills. I want to be a math teacher, so this gives me experience teaching kids.”

---

Cameron Hammon

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: Benson High School
Department: County Assets
Division: Information Technology
Something to know about me: “I produce R&B and rap beats and sell them. I feel pretty accomplished when people pay for my beats.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to gain work experience. I knew about this program three years ago and I stayed in contact to get a job. I feel thankful that I can get experience and apply myself.”

---

Julian Hanlon-Austin

Age: 17
Hometown: Portland
School: Grant High School
Office: Commissioner Loretta Smith
Something to know about me: “I’m going to play five varsity sports: soccer, football, cross country, basketball, track.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to improve my communication skills and gain experience working with the county.”

---

Daniel Healy

Age: 16
Hometown: Gresham
School: Reynolds High School
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something to know about me: “I’m good at math and mountain biking. I play a few instruments -- tuba, trombone, bass, guitar, percussion, bass clarinet, flute, tenor saxophone.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to help kids in the program with math and save money for college.”

---

Sandonna Herejon-Krieg

Age: 16
Hometown: Portland
School: Reynolds High School
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something to know about me: “I will be the first to one to graduate high school in my family.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to gain more leadership skills. I really enjoy being with kids and getting experience as an elementary school teacher or pediatric assistant.”

---

Oksana Hubenya

Age: 17
Hometown: Ukraine
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Community Justice
Division: Adult Services
Something to know about me: “I’m shy at first, but I tell really good jokes. I can be a class clown if I want.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I wanted to be in a business environment and gain work experience.”

---

Anthony Jordan

Age: 20
Hometown: Portland
School: George Fox University
Department: County Management
Division: Assessment. Recording and Taxation
Something to know about me: “I own my own shoe company and I have over 100 pairs of shoes.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want my experience last summer to carry over this year. I want to know how to better assess businesses because taxes are the reason why we are able to care for children and the elderly. I never thought I’d be doing what I’m doing today.”

---

Yana Korneychuk

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland (originally from Ukraine)
School: David Douglas High School
Office: Commissioner Judy Shiprack
Something to know about me: “My family moved to Portland as refugees from Ukraine. My grandparents were persecuted for their religion there, so there was a big wave of people from that generation who came here.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to get experience working with people and improving my customer service. I want to be a physical therapist because I like to work out and help people. This is important to me because I can learn to communicate better.”

---

Kaitlyn Landis

Age: 16
Hometown: Portland
School: Centennial High School
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something to know about me: “I love working with kids. I have been a camp counselor at Camp Wil-lo-linn and several vacation bible schools.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to gain experience with kids because I want to be an elementary school teacher. I want to build relationships and pursue this in college.”

---

Samantha Landis

Age: 16
Hometown: Portland
School: Centennial High School
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something to know about me: “I am a twin and I’ve been a Girl Scout for 8 years. I really enjoy doing crafts. I make friendship bracelets and do scrapbooking.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I’m hoping to learn how to coordinate events and build relationships with people.”

---

Juan Leon

Age: 22
Hometown: Woodburn
School: Portland State University
Department: County Management
Division: Assessment, Recording and Taxation
Something to know about me: “I started playing soccer at 5. I have a collection of 40 medals and eight trophies.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “Just in general -- become well-rounded. Appraisal isn’t marketing. I’m trying a new field, seeing if it works out. I’m getting experience and this is my first internship.”

---

Sandra Lopez

Age: 19
Hometown: Cornelius
School: George Fox University
Department: County Management
Division: Assessment, Recording and Taxation
Something to know about me: “I run four miles a day and hope to run a marathon someday.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to be able to appraise houses on my own and master the skill of appraisal.”

---

Cynthia Luna

Age: 16
Hometown: Portland
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Human Services
Division: Aging and Disability
Something to know about me: “I love to play soccer and be around kids. Working with the SUN school program and playing my favorite sport is what I do outside, of school. I enjoy every bit of it, but trying out new things is something I don’t mind doing. Thats why I tried this job.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to have a great experience as a receptionist. I wanted to try something new and I hope I like this job. Working with the county is a wonderful experience for my first job. I have always volunteered with jobs having to do with kids but never as a receptionist. I’m really looking forward to this amazing opportunity.”

---

Shirley Luo

Age: 19
Hometown: Portland
School: Oregon State University
Office: Board Clerk
Something to know about me: “I do butterfly knives. They’re just little knives with two handles that you twirl around. I just pass the time with them, twirling them while I study.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to make more money for college. I’m really happy to be able to do this so I don’t have to rely on my family to pay my college tuition.”

---

Tim Luo

Age: 16
Hometown: Guanghzou, China
School: Cleveland High School
Department: County Management
Division: Talent Development
Something to know about me: “I was born in China and moved to America when I was 5 or 6. It’s different here. I can’t act as freely when I go back to China. The people here are very tolerant but back in China the expectations for youth are much higher”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “This is my first real job experience. I want to learn and get references for the future. Usually I’m lazy in the summer, so this keeps me moving and doing stuff."

---

Elizabeth Madera

Age: 16
Hometown: Portland
School: Reynolds High School
Department: County Assets
Division: Information Technology
Something to know about me: “I’m really organized and like having things very clean. I play soccer and tennis for school. I’m really athletic and love to do sports. I also want to play soccer and tennis in college.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to learn and gain more experience. I am hoping that this will help me with communication and future work experience.”

---

Abdi Mas

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: Roosevelt High School
Department: Health Department (Archiving)
Division: Business, Financial and Quality Services
Something to know about me: “I play varsity soccer as defense, forward and on the wing. I can remember one memorable game versus Crook County. I started that game and we came back in the second half from a bad first. We lost that game but I learned that teamwork and communication are important. Those are skills that I can use in my job.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to work with people. I’m just interested in finding out what this job has to offer. I want to get up and help and support my family.”

---

Doretha Mathews

Age: 17
Hometown: Denver
School: Parkrose High School
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something to know about me: “I’m really athletic -- I play basketball, track, and softball.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “To meet new people and play sports and get the kids active.”

---

De’Ontria McFerson

Age: 17
Hometown: Gary, Indiana
School: Parkrose High School
Office: Commissioner Loretta Smith
Something to know about me: “I like doing new things. I like to play guitar. I learned in sixth grade. I haven’t played it in a long time and I’m just getting started again. I’m being taught by a musician. It’s fun and great to reconnect to something that was lost.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to have a new job here in this district. It feels good to just have to get up and get out and go do something instead of sitting on the couch. I’m happy to make money so I can help my mom with bills and keep some money in my pocket.”

---

Jenifer Dominguez Molina

Age: 16
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
School: Reynolds High School
Office: Commissioner Diane McKeel
Something to know about me: “I'm in SkillsUSA.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “This summer I hope to get the chance to apply many of my writing and critical thinking skills, but also work on my speaking skills. I want to get hands-on experience what working in an office is like and also meet with multicultural people.”

---

Jared Morris

Age: 20
Hometown: Portland
School: Portland Community College
Office: Commissioner Deborah Kafoury
Something to know about me: “I listen to international music, gothic metal (European).”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I hope to gain some experience in a public government setting. Work toward career goals and hopefully work for the Federal Department of State. I’m very excited to get my foot in the door.”

---

Erik Nguyen

Age: 17
Hometown: Portland
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Health
Office: Health and Social Justice
Something to know about me: “I’ve been in choir for eight years and want to pursue it in college.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to gain work experience to further my career.”

---

Osman Omar

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: Mt. Hood Community College
Department: County Management
Division: Assessment, Recording and Taxation
Something to know about me: “I was born in Kenya.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to gain more work experience, and become familiar with different computer programs within DART and digitizing property maps into the system.”

---

Travis Palomino

Age: 17
Hometown: Portland
School: Parkrose High School
Department: Community Services
Division: Road Services
Something to know about me: ”I like civil engineering.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to know what a work environment is like and to gain that experience.”

---

Srijana Rai

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Human Services
Division: SUN Service System
Something to know about me: “I was born in Nepal and moved here when I was 15.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I like working with kids.”

---

Lovie Sanders

Age: 19
Hometown: Portland
School: Portland Community College-Cascade
Department: Health
Division: Community Health Services
Something to know about me: “I’ve been playing video games since I was 3 or 4. Anything I can get my hands on; Gameboys and Nintendo products. I like really long games, especially. One game took me 27 hours and 39 minutes.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I would like to have better communication skills with strangers. When I’m talking to young adults, such as myself, I can be nervous and shy.”

---

Nadia Sergeychuk

Age: 22
Hometown: Ukraine
Department: Community Justice
Division: Adult Services
Something to know about me: “I like to make sweets. I bake a lot. I’m also really organized.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I would like to gain more work experience.”

---

Joel Smith

Age: 15
Hometown: Gresham
School: Gresham High School
Department: Community Services
Division: Animal Services
Something to know about me: “I’m in Boy Scouts, so I like to be outdoors and go camping and hiking.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to learn how to train animals and work with people. I hope to pursue animal training in college and work with other animal shelters.”

---

Krissie Smith

Age: 20
Hometown: Gresham
School: Oregon State University
Office: Communications
Something to know about me: “I am a merchandising management major and a spanish minor. I want to visit every continent at least once. My three siblings and I are all adopted.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to work for a fashion magazine, and hope to gain some experience with media and improve my writing and critical thinking skills. I am also saving to study abroad in Spain spring term.”

---

Auttiona Stephens

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: David Douglas High School
Department: Human Services
Division: Aging and Disabilities
Something to know about me: “I like to play basketball.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I am hoping to get more experience and work on my communication skills.”

---

Jason Trinh

Age: 20
Hometown: Salem
School: Portland State University
Department: County Management
Division: Assessment, Recording and Taxation
Something to know about me: “I own one of each Mac product -- an iPad, iPod Nano, Touch, Shuffle, iPhone, MacBook Pro, Macbook Air, iMac...I used to work for Apple.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to learn more about administrative duties. Everything behind policies and administration. I’m an international studies major. I’m learning about international development -- learning about taxes and foreclosures is interesting.”

---

Arjun Wagley

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland (originally from Damak, Jhapa Nepal)
School: Portland State University
Department: Community Services
Division: Road Services
Something to know about me: “I speak four languages: English, Hindi, Nepali and Dzongkha. I am from a Nepal and I’ve been in the U.S. for two years.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “Work experience in the community and helping people.”

---

Cole Whitehurst

Age: 22
Hometown: Portland
School: George Fox University graduate
Department: County Management
Division: Assessment, Recording and Taxation
Something to know about me: “I like to play tennis.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I would like to play a role in the development of the new interns.”

---

Soroya Windom

Age: 18
Hometown: Portland
School: Rosemary Anderson High School
Office: Office of Diversity and Equity
Something to know about me: “I do freelance photography in my spare time.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I’m doing this because I want to pick up from what I did last year.“

---

Ryan Yambra

Age: 17
Hometown: Portland
School: Willamette University
Office: Communications
Something to know about me: “I go to huge lengths to avoid using the elevator. I climb all of the stairs several times a day and I even climb the stairs on breaks.”
What do you hope to accomplish this summer? “I want to use some of my journalistic skills in a political environment and experiment with professional writing. I also am excited to pay off some of my college expenses with what I earn this summer.”