Youth Development

PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER

Youth Programming

The health and well being of our American Indian youth is of vital importance. Our youth development, for middle school & high school youth, focuses on helping them learn the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to live a successful life, utilizing culture as the core of their identity and strength.

This year-round, open enrollment program is designed for students in high school to help prepare them for success in post-secondary education, the workforce and their personal lives. The program is centered around college, career, culture, and prevention. Components include college and career exploration, visits to local employers, college tours, guest speakers, and leadership training. Our staff are both mentors and coaches to the youth and are committed their success.

Sign up today for a workshop! Click here to view our calendar page.

For more information, you email us at youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or call us at 602-264-6768.

Youth Job Readiness Training Workshops

Session 1: Oct. 10 – 11 from 9 AM – 3 PM; Session 2: Oct. 12 – 13 from 9 AM – 3 PM; Session 3: Oct. 28 from 9 AM – 3 PM.

To register, click here.

High School Students are invited to join us for our two day, in-person workshops to help prepare themselves with job readiness and workplace skills! Topics that will be covered include interviewing skills, effective communication, resume writing, and more. Attendees are paid for attending and completing the workshop sessions!

For questions contact the Youth Development team at youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or (602) 264-6768

See what's coming up...

Youth 2 Work

Youth Job Readiness Workshops & Youth to Work

High School Students: Join us for a two day, in-person workshop to introduce high school students to the workforce and teach them workplace skills such as:

– Acing the interview
– Effective Communication
– Resume Writing
– And much more!

All youth that register and attend the workshop will be paid for their time. Space is limited and registration fills up quick.

Click here to sign up.

For questions or more information, please contact us at 602-264-6768 or youthprograms@phxindcenter.org

Employer Information

Are you an employer interested in hiring an intern through our Youth to Work program? We are offering virtual/work-from-home or COVID-safe work environment internships at no cost to interested businesses! Interns are high school juniors and seniors, with their time being paid by the Phoenix Indian Center.

Click here to access the application

For questions or more information, please contact us at (602) 264-6768 or youthprograms@phxindcenter.org

Youth Events

High School Beading Workshop

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023

To register, click here.

Discover the art of beading and explore your creativity at our hands-on workshop! Join us for the opportunity to create your very own beaded pouch using the lazy stitch method. During this workshop, you’ll learn the techniques of bead selection, threading, and pattern creation, empowering you to express your individual style and bring your creative vision to life. All materials will be provided. Open to all indigenous high school youths from grades 9-12 and instruction provided by Youth Development Specialist Cante Zephier. For questions contact the Youth Development team at youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or (602) 264-6768

Native Games for High School Students

Saturday, Sept. 30th, 2023

To register, click here.

Calling ALL Native High School youth to join us and learn how to play some Northern Style games on Saturday, Sept. 30th! We’ll be kicking off this day at 10 am at Montecito School Gym with hand games, buffalo run, spear throwing, and more! This free event will be hosted by our Youth Development team and will promote healthy living while incorporating traditional and cultural teachings.

For questions contact the Youth Development team at youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or (602) 264-6768

Indigenous Combines

We had a very successful Fall Ball Showcase. Our youth development team is working diligently to organize our next opportunity for our Native athletes to showcase their skills. Check this page often for up to date information about upcoming events!

For more information, contact Nick Vaifanua-Fulgham at 602-264-6768 or nfulgham@phxindcenter.org

Football combine video

Volleyball skills video

College Prep

FAFSA Workshop (Virtual)

Learn how to make higher education affordable at our Zoom FAFSA Workshop! Parents and students are invited to join us to discover the ins and outs of financial aid, grants, and scholarships to ease the burden of tuition costs. Register today, click here.

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023

Time: 4:30-5:45pm

Location: Zoom

Virtual College Tours

Interested in college, but don’t know where to start? Join us for one of our Zoom Virtual College Tours. Come hear from Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University representatives on how you can start your academic journey! This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get insight about furthering your education. To register, click here.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023

Time: 4:00-5:15pm

Location: Zoom

For questions, call our Youth Development Team at 602-264-6768 or email youthprograms@phxindcenter.org.

F.I.N.A.L. Youth Council

Interested in joining our Future Inspired Native American Leaders Youth Council? Watch for applications to open in 2023!

Youth Council membership provides high school aged youth with opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, public speaking skills, community engagement and networking.

What does the Youth Council Do?

The Youth Council determines its activities based on its own needs. Needs can be identified through discussions with members, interviews, surveys, and other types of research. Once needs are determined, the youth council develops their own action plan to implement their activities.

Benefits of Joining The Youth Council

Benefits you gain from participating in the Youth Council depend on what each member puts into the Council. If youth make the most of their opportunities, they will:

Learn how to work with other young people
Build strong and lasting friendships
Develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence
Develop communication and leadership skills
Develop organizational skills
Develop winning attitudes
Learn how to take responsibility for their actions
Contribute to making a difference in Indian Country

For more information or questions about how to join, contact our Youth Development team at (602) 264-6768 or youthprograms@phxindcenter.org.

Youth Leadership Day

Annual Youth Leadership Day

Every year, our Youth Development Team organizes our popular Youth Leadership Day for American Indian high school students in Maricopa County. This high energy event focuses on networking, leadership skill development, with students taking part in activities that instill pride in cultural heritage.

We often feature dynamic guest speakers who speak from Indigenous perspectives. Past presenters have included Christian Parrish (Apsáalooke) known professionally as Supaman; Shawn Martinez (Diné) Entertainment Director for the Phoenix Suns and Red Heritage Indigenous Entertainment.

The 11th Annual Youth Leadership Day was a huge success! This high energy, networking event focused on culture & leadership. Thank you to all of the presenters and partners for helping to make this event one to remember. Click here to view photos from this event.

Check this site often for information on the next Youth Leadership Day event. Join us at any of our other events through-out the year.

For more info contact our Youth Development Team by email at youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or phone at 602-264-6768. Space is limited!

Cultural Workshops
Living In Two Worlds

Cultural Workshops

We are working diligently to organize future events. Please check this page often as information is updated regularly.

Living In Two Worlds

The Living in 2 Worlds curriculum was developed by the Phoenix Indian Center in partnership with ASU’s Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center using the Keepin’ it REAL drug resistance strategies project as a program for our American Indian youth. Living in 2 Worlds draws on American Indian culture and values as effective drug resistance strategies. We provide youth with different ways to say no to negative choices that confront youth every day, and at the same time, we give youth ample opportunity to express their pride in their American Indian culture(s) and teach them the positive value in the nurturing of that pride.

The Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe curriculum teaches children about personal safety. During two 40-minute sessions, a trained facilitator will present research-based, age-appropriate lessons to help children learn the skills to prevent or interrupt cycles of neglect, bullying and child abuse – physical, emotional and sexual. The Speak Up Be Safe curriculum includes information for children, parents, teachers, and communities to reinforce important safety rules. Because adults are responsible for keeping children safe, the lessons focus on helping children identify a safe adult and learn five safety rules the children can use to help their safe adults keep them safe:

It’s MY body!
Ask an adult if I am safe
I have choices
Tell someone
It’s NEVER my fault!

Living in 2 Worlds, draws on Native culture and values as effective drug resistance strategies. The L2W also teaches, a variety of ways to say no to negative choices that confront youth every day, while learning about different cultures. The students take home Cultural Heritage projects to open communication with family and discuss lives in urban and reservation homes.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Prevention Services Team at 602-264-6768.