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 youth of all ages, 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, we focus our trainings on cultural identity; personal development; prevention services; college readiness and career readiness. Our staff is both mentors and coaches to the youth and are committed their success.

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. An exciting two-week summer camp is offered in July.

For more information, you may click here to download the registration form, or contact us at 602-264-6768.

Youth 2 Work

Paid virtual internship opportunities, up to 40 hours
- Eligibility requirements:
  - 11^th & 12^th grade students residing in Maricopa County that self-identify as American Indian
  - Complete the 2-day Job Readiness Training (must attend full session both days)
- Daily incentives and prizes
- Looks great on college and future applications
- Past employers
  - PIMC
  - Phoenix Indian Center
  - Heard Museum
  - Department of Indian Education
  - Open Door
  - UNITY
  - Bureau of Indian Affairs
  - Native Health
  - UofA
  - And more…
Space is limited, apply today – Click here for the application
Application deadline: 11/18/2020

Click here to download the flyer now.

Employer Information

Are you an employer interested in hiring an intern through our Y2W program? We are offering virtual/work-from-home 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 complete the employer application. Please send completed applications via email to youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or via fax (602) 274-7486 ATTN: Youth Development Team

Click here to download the flyer.

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

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

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.

Mentorship Program: Youth and Parents

Mentors are an important, additional partner to have in a youth’s life as they make their journey into adulthood. Mentors help empower youth to make good decisions in their academic, personal and future career. Mentors help provide youth with a clear vision of what their future could look like while sharing and enjoying common interests and hobbies. Research has shown that mentors improve a youths’ behavioral, social, emotional and academic outcomes.

Submit an application today and invite a mentor to help share in your youths’ journey to success!

Mentorship Program FAQ’s For Mentors

Mentor Enrollment Process

Mentor Application

Youth Leadership Day

2020 Youth Leadership Day

Youth Leadership Day is planned collaboratively with local organizations, focusing on leadership, college and career readiness, substance abuse prevention and cultural enrichment. This FREE conference is open to all self-identifying American Indian high school students from across the Phoenix-Mesa Metropolitan Area and surrounding communities.

We are working diligently to plan the 2021 Youth Leadership Day event. Please check back often for the most up to date information.

For more information, contact us

Email: youthprograms@phxindcenter.org
Phone: 602-264-6768

Living In Two Worlds
Scholarships & Grants

Living In Two Worlds

Living in 2 Worlds is a school-based prevention program implemented in junior high schools throughout the valley. The program occurs once a week during the school year. A trained facilitator introduces information on alcohol and other drug use from a strength-based model, using American Indian values and cultural knowledge. Call us to see if the program is in your junior high or if you’d like us to come to your school.

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 Team at 602-264-6768.

Scholarships & Grants

In addition to the scholarships listed on our Resources page, the Phoenix Indian Center is proud to continue the Freeport-McMoRan Scholarship Program. These scholarships are funded by the Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation and administered by the Phoenix Indian Center.

There are two Scholarships available under this program; the Native American Scholarship and the Cyprus Tohono Corporation Scholarship.

Native American Scholarship:

The eligibility for the Native American Scholarship Application includes the following:

Enrolled member of Hualpai Tribe, San Carlos Apache Tribe, White Mountain Apache Tribe and Tohono O’odham Nation.
Must have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative gpa and be in good academic standing
Must be enrolled as a full-time student in one of the following disciplines:
- Primary: Education, Engineering, Geology, Science or science -related major
- Secondary: Business or business-related major, Health, Safety, Sustainability or technology
The application deadline for the 2019-2020 school year is June 1, 2019.
Click Here to download the application

Cyprus Tohono Corporation Scholarship

The eligibility for the Cyprus Tohono Corporation Scholarship Application includes the following:

Enrolled Native American residing in Arizona-preference will be given to enrolled members of the Tohono O’odham Nation
Attending a community college or four-year public University in Arizona
Students entering college as a freshman, sophomore or junior
Must have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA and be in good academic standing
The application deadline for the 2019-2020 school year is June 1, 2019.
Click Here to download the application