Bridget, 2010 TIPS Intern:
My internship reminded me of the importance of helping out your community and the influence of nonprofits. I am now positive I will continue to do community service for the rest of my life.
Kevin, 2010 TIPS Intern:
TIPS is an amazing organization and has done so much to energize my summer and my life. TIPS has the potential to play a role in redefining the “teenager” stereotype from your bratty, insolent kid to an active change-maker in the world.
Nancy, 2008 TIPS Intern:
I was accepted to Stanford University and will be going there next fall. Besides renewing my love and passion for community service, I went on five 48 hour campus visits, and I was flat out more comfortable. TIPS taught me very important interviewing skills through my interview process as well as through being a member on the selection committee.
After my internship at TIPS I started to row. Over the next few years crew became a more important and consuming part of my life. I decided that I wanted to row competitively in college and continue to challenge myself academically. I then entered into the world of college recruiting. I had hours of phone conversations with various coaches throughout the country and eventually phone conversations turned into meetings and meetings turned into official visits (48 campus visits paid for by the University). Throughout this process I was able to use my interviewing experiences from TIPS and not only effectively convey who I was and my goals as a rower, but just be flat at more comfortable throughout the process.
Without having TIPS interview experience, the recruiting process would have been a challenging experience and am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing program.
Sara, 1999 TIPS Intern:
I spent two summers working with Alzheimer’s patients at an adult day care center as part of TIPS, and have always looked back on that job as the best I’ve ever had. Funny enough, I am about to begin a Master’s program in Gerontology at USC, and hope to go into geriatric care management when I graduate. TIPS enabled me to pursue my passion in high school, and led me to this amazing career path! Thank you again for getting in touch, and I wish you and your organization all the best.
Lizzie, 2008 TIPS Intern:
I feel very lucky that I was chosen to be a TIPS intern and that I get to have this amazing experience. Everyday when I see kids, make art projects, or even do data work I feel like I am somehow, even if it is small, affecting the life of a child for the better, and it is an amazing, amazing, feeling. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity!
Erik, 2008 TIPS Intern:
Going into this experience, I knew that it would be an interesting way to spend my last summer before college, but I had little idea how enjoyable and truly rewarding it would be. Being placed with Habitat provided a unique opportunity for me to develop and grow in other areas, and to try something new and different.
Elise, 2007 TIPS Intern:
I personally love art with a passion, and I was able to share that love with all the kids I worked with. This was a really great and enriching way to spend my summer before entering into my senior year in high school. It has given me knowledge about how to work with children, new friends, and the chance to give back to the community.
Okoye, 2007 TIPS Intern:
Being with Atlantic Street Center was probably the greatest experience I have had in my life. It will also be one that I will remember for years to come. I was introduced to a lot of new ways to help and understanding the kids in my surrounding, how to conduct myself in certain environments and adapting to any situation I’m put in. I also began to understand that different children have different needs. I learned that each child is a little different and you have to have different ways of helping and interacting with each child. This helped sculpt my skills in how to get everyone involved and satisfy everyone’s needs.
Shuana, 2007 TIPS Intern:
I entered Boomtown with a very vague understanding of the homeless community. I never thought them lower then myself, just unfortunate, unable, or mentally ill. Honestly I just felt sorry for them, until I started working with them. The biggest thing I learned this summer is that homelessness and hunger have no prejudice, it has no sympathy and it too often goes ignored. I learned that each and every customer has a different story, are at a different point in their recovery and have unique talents. The one thing all of them share is that, like you and me, they need a hot meal, to be treated with respect, and to be listened to.
Lisa, 2006 TIPS Intern:
Working at the Family Center allowed me to regularly enter an environment I was unfamiliar with and learn how to interact with and help new people. I was able to get a glimpse of how the Seattle Public Schools work and I learned some of the obstacles and difficulties that lie in the way of children in Seattle Public Schools such as funding and class size. Thank you for allowing me to have an unforgettable experience.
Veronica, 2006 TIPS Intern:
These internships make us see life as an adult and not as a teen. This gives us responsibility that prepares us for the future. I thank you for believing in us and having faith, for trusting that we could also make a difference in our community.
Vidang, 2005 TIPS Intern:
My internship at the Children’s Hospital has changed me. I have always been just in the White Center/Burien area, and my placement at the hospital north of UW has, in a way, opened my eyes to the world outside my own. I have become much more aware of many issues which were never apparent in my area.
Justin, 2005 TIPS Intern:
During my time at Elder-Heath Northwest I learned many things about life. I learned just how fragile life and good health can be. I came to realize that anyone can have a stroke or a serious accident that is life threatening at any time. Many of the clients at Elder-Health have college educations and were intelligent and vibrant personalities…but were just unlucky. I will never forget my summer at Elder-Health and will always appreciate the compassion and selflessness of my dedicated co-workers and the amazing personal stories related to me by the clients.
Cara Beth, 2004 TIPS Intern:
In that short conversation, I gained the three most important lessons from the entire summer: the meaning of courage, the struggle that AIDS victims face every single day and the value of a life we take for granted so often. It was then that I also realized how special Bailey-Boushay really is. The services it offers to those it caters to are comparable to no other facility I know of, and the people who attend are like none other I’ve ever met. They, although sick with an incurable disease, are astonishingly hopeful, courageous and inspiring.
Laura, 2004 TIPS Intern:
My involvement with First Place this summer has allowed me to get a personal and up-close look at what non-profit organizations are all about. I feel I have established a strong connection with some of the people who are working so diligently to address the needs of the community, and that I have learned about what needs still need to be addressed in the future.
Mary, 2003 TIPS Intern:
My eyes and heart have been opened to the needs of children in the Seattle community. I have learned so much about life and the power of compassion. I have realized not only how fortunate I am, but also how crucial it is for teens like me to make a difference in the world. This opportunity allowed me to experience meaningful work, and led me to believe that I can improve the community. Life is about choices, and I see now that each time we put others before ourselves; we are helping in a big way.