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 email us at youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or call us at 602-264-6768.

Do you have a high school student in need of school supplies? The Youth Development team will host a Back-To-School supplies give away for American Indian High School students! Come by the Phoenix Indian Center, first floor lobby, to pick up supplies, bags, and other fun swag.

Date: Saturday, August 6, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (or until supplies run out)

Location: 4520 N. Central Ave | Phoenix, AZ 85012

Contact our youth team at 602-264-6768 for more information.

Youth 2 Work

Youth Job Readiness Training

Are you an American Indian teen ready to prepare themselves for the world of work? Our Job Readiness Training is just for you! These two-day trainings are:

Open to all American Indian high school students
Fun & interactive
Full of useful information and daily prize drawings

Visit this site often for information about upcoming trainings!

Y2W Internship

This paid internship is open to self-identifying American Indian incoming or exiting juniors and seniors in high school. Must complete 2-day job readiness training. Gain new skills while earning $13/hr, up to 40hrs a week and up to 100 hrs total.
Applicants must attend 2-day Job Readiness Training Session.
- 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…

We are planning future Youth to Work internship opportunities. Check this page often for updated information about upcoming sessions.

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

Mentoring

Calling all American Indian high school students students! Join the Phoenix Indian Center’s monthly mentoring program at different schools around the valley, where we will assist in identifying your dreams, finding the skills you need to achieve them, and build your drive of resiliency and perseverance in accomplishing your dreams. This mentorship luncheon is for self-identifying American Indian/Native Hawaiian/Alaska Native high school students.

Visit this site often for information about what schools we will be visiting in the 2022-2023 school year!

Questions? Contact our Youth Development team for more information at 602-264-6768 or youthprograms@phxindcenter.org

College Fairs

College Fairs

We are planning future college fairs. Check this page often for updated information about upcoming sessions.

For questions or more information, please contact our Youth Development team at youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or 602-264-6768.

Summer Academy

We are currently making plans for 2022 Summer Academy. Visit this page often for up to date details about upcoming youth events.

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

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.

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

Youth Ribbon Shirt Making Workshop

This virtual workshop, taught by ShoShana Saddler, will be held over three evenings, creating ribbon work and applique on a shirt of your choice. Phoenix area Indigenous youth and teens (ages 14-18) are encouraged to participate. All participants must provide their own button up dress shirt, however, Phoenix Indian Center will provide material, ribbon, thread, measuring tape and glue stick. You can pick up the materials at the Phoenix Indian Center. Space is limited.

Click here to register TODAY!

Date: July 11-13, 2022

Time: 5:30 PM

Location: Held virtually on zoom

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.