FuturesNW Blog — FuturesNW

Megan Wingo

QuickStart to College: Mentoring Reflections from Our Lead Mentor, Adilene Landa Garcia

After some rest, our QuickStart Mentors continued their support towards QuickStart by filling out a Post-Camp Survey. Here they had the opportunity to celebrate wins and detect areas which could be improved upon throughout the camp for the incoming years. We received thoughtful feedback full of gratitude. With the first question on the survey reading “What did you like the most about being a mentor? Why?”, mentors emphasized the relationships built. Mentors loved getting to be around other first-generation mentors and working with students who share that background. Being able to reflect on past experiences and provide for mentees what you did and or did not receive while in their place was highlighted too. Mentors enjoyed the balance of community building with all attendees and the deep support, teaching, and the work that we engage in for mentees. Lastly, mentors enjoyed having their subgroups which consisted of around 6-7 mentees and 2-3 mentors. Our next reflective question engaged mentors to choose a favorite memory and name the reason why it was memorable. A favorite activity that surged was our Lakewood evening because of the activities involved, they got students to have some fun. Mentors mentioned that the Panda Express buffet-style dinner on the lawn was their favorite memory because of the time we spent there and how it allowed for people to connect deeper as they shared a meal. Another favorite memory for some mentors included the essay writing time because they got to know mentees on a different level and really supported them with what they faced at hand. This allowed mentors to bond with students if they had similar experiences. Additionally, self-care at the end of the day and hearing mentees’ interest in coming back the following year as Jr. mentors as they headed home was very memorable for our mentors as it tells they see value, meaning, and have interest in returning.

Our mentors had opportunities to exercise and build their leadership skills throughout camp. Many of them broke out of their shells to connect and build relationships with mentees and their fellow mentors. This resulted in their confidence being built through these experiences. Our new mentors mentioned they took inspiration from senior mentors who had done QuickStart before which supported their growth as a leader. To add on, mentors mention they take with them the knowledge that to be a great leader does mean to step up, but to be a great leader one must also have the awareness to step back and allow others to lead. Our mentors got to practice patience and some learned how to be empathetic and mindful especially when dealing with situations where people are being vulnerable. For some mentors, it was the first time working with this age group and receiving information about financial aid, scholarships, and different pathways and programs. Overall, mentors left full of new knowledge, resources, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader.

In the end, QuickStart creates a beautiful and sacred environment where our mentors and all involved grow, learn, and teach in numerous ways. A wonderful and supportive community is built where we honor our experiences, roots, and vulnerability. Where hope grows. Engaging in meaningful and thoughtful reflection is what our wonderful, skillful team did to support QuickStart and continue making improvements to better support all involved in the future of this life-changing program.

Join Our Team!

Are you passionate about supporting students in achieving their career and college dreams? FuturesNW is searching for a full-time Pathways Exploration Program Coordinator, and we would love to hear from you.

Job Overview: The Program Coordinator will collaborate with staff, community partners, schools, businesses, and students to plan and manage all aspects of the Learning with Leaders (LWL) pathways exploration program events. LWL connects 9th-12th grade students with in-demand career opportunities by providing exploration that focuses on kinesthetic learning experiences and corresponding local education pathways. The Program Coordinator will also implement the organization’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for qualifying students with disabilities. This program focuses on providing 9-12th grade students with the tools needed to live an independent and self-directed life after high school graduation

To apply, please first read the job description. Then, send your cover letter and resume (including two professional references) to Megan Wingo at mwingo@futuresnw.org.

Join our team and help students transform their dreams into realities!

Looking for an Intern!

Fall 2023

Financial Aid and Mentorship Intern

1 Position Available

We are a non-profit on a mission to level the socio-economic playing field by supporting students from under-served communities to achieve their career and college dreams. We do this by providing resources, personal and academic support workshops, mentorship, comprehensive financial aid literacy training, and college/training/career advising to succeed in college and beyond. We would love an opportunity to interview you if the following programs connect with your learning goals and career aspirations. 

Core Competencies

To perform successfully, the intern should demonstrate and/or show willingness to grow in the following areas:  

  • Sensitivity: Communicates empathy and respect of individuals; ability to be appreciative of diverse perspectives and experiences

  • Change Agility: Able to embrace needed change; effective in the face of ambiguity

  • Learning Agility: Seeks to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities in related service areas; implement core principles and reflective practice

  • Integrity: Must be honest and take responsibility for actions; ability to set healthy limits

  • Relationship Building: Recognize importance of relationships; devote energy to cultivating relationships

  • Organize & Planning: Plan and organize so that work is accomplished effectively; prioritize multiple competing tasks; maximize use of available time

Program Areas

1. Financial Aid 

The primary role of the Financial Aid & Mentorship Intern is to assist the Financial Aid team in all aspects of Financial Aid & Mentorship student support services. FuturesNW partners with the 12th Year Campaign to host financial literacy events to provide personalized support for students and families completing the FAFSA or WASFA. The Intern will undergo intensive Financial Aid navigation training in order to serve as a knowledgeable Financial Aid guide to students. 

2. Virtual or In-School Mentorship

The Intern will assist as a near-peer mentor to students at specific local high schools throughout the region. In our mentorship program, we work with high school students who will be the first in their families to go to college or who are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to help build confidence, resources, and support to help them succeed in high school and beyond. Students receive guidance to learn necessary skills and concepts for college-level study, assistance with setting and achieving goals, and support with their college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications.

Job Responsibilities

  • Learn required technology and security protocols for student privacy regulations

  • Work with local high schools and students to provide virtual or in-school mentorship 

  • Schedule and attend regular mentorship meetings with individual students

  • Assist in financial aid events to encourage students as they plan for their lives after high school

  • In addition to the above duties, all intern team members will be required to take intensive Financial Aid training and support FuturesNW at multiple financial aid events throughout the semester

  • Using extended Financial Aid knowledge gained in training, provide Financial Aid support services to students and their families

  • Attend weekly team meetings 

  • Attend virtual financial aid office hours (days/time TBD) 

  • Work with Marketing Assistant in creating materials, social media posts, and outreach plans to reach as many students as possible

Each week you will attend one all-team meeting, one Financial Aid team meeting, and a one-on-one supervisory meeting to get the skills and support you need to lead in your role with confidence. These days and times are selected at the beginning of the quarter and will work around your availability.

This is a flexible role and different job duties will arise as the semester progresses. Programs are contingent on school availability and future Covid-19 restrictions. Please be prepared for change accordingly. 

*Position may require travel/transportation*

Reports to: Financial Aid and Mentorship Program Coordinator

Total hours: 10-12 per week

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship position for college-level course credits. Only students who are enrolled in a relevant internship post-secondary course will be eligible. 

To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and two professional references to Megan Wingo at mwingo@futuresnw.org and Atiana Garza at agarza@futuresnw.org. 

Well Done, Jessica!

We are so proud of Jessica!

From DVR workshop facilitation to Financial Aid office hours, Jessica has done a little bit of everything for FuturesNW during her time here as an intern. She is a logistical and planning pro and always asks the right questions to make sure everyone stays on task. Throughout the academic year, it was a pleasure to witness her confidence growth and transition into a skillfully capable classroom facilitator. Whatever the task may be, we can always count on Jessica to complete it with professionalism, thoroughness, and dedication. She is smart, driven, and is an inspiration to the students she is serving as well as our fellow FuturesNW teammates. Her wonderfully kind spirit and care for the students she served shined through in all her work. She will be a huge asset to her future employer and they will be the lucky ones to get to work with her! Congratulations, Jessica!!

Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?

I’ve been looking forward to this moment for the last couple of years, but it almost feels surreal.

Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?

 Pursuing college might seem daunting, but it’s worth it in the end. 

Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?

I wish I would’ve had more information about all the resources Western has to offer and how to navigate the scholarship application process. 

Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?

One benefit was that it decreased some stress about money and how I was going to pay for things. This allowed me to think about my future and other things I want to do after graduation.

Q: What will you miss the most about college?

I’ll miss all the friends I’ve made and people I’ve met! It’s so easy to meet and talk to new people, especially in the Human Services major where everyone knows everyone else 

Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time at FuturesNW?

Getting to know everyone! Everyone is so nice and supportive. I couldn’t have asked for better people to work with or a better place to intern.

Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?

I have to take a summer class to finish my minor, but after that I’m not sure! I’m hoping to have a job lined up by the end of summer. I’m fortunate that my options are open and I have nothing tying me back, so I’m excited to see where the journey takes me!

Congratulations, Paige, You Did It!

Wow! Paige is a true rockstar!

Paige has been interning with us for an entire academic year. She always gives 110% to every project she is working on. We can count on her to consistently go above and beyond in every situation. She possesses a unique passion for supporting students with disabilities and always has our clients' needs in mind in every decision she makes. One of Paige's greatest strengths is her willingness to speak up and bring new ideas to the table. She is not afraid of asking questions, and she yearns to make the organization stronger. She can uniquely see growth opportunities and desires to put her energy into new ideas. Her communication, facilitating, grant writing, and teamworking skills are all top-notch! Paige is, without a doubt, an incredible intern at every level. Can we clone her for next year?! We cannot wait to see where she lands, and we know she will be amazing at whatever she decides to do in her future. Way to go, Paige!

Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?

It doesn’t feel real! I’ve been feeling more emotional lately because I’m sad to leave so many friends. However, I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by so many incredible people.

Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?

Take charge of your college experience because college is what you make of it! Join clubs, sports, and attend as many exciting events as possible. Put yourself out there because when you don’t risk anything, you actually risk more! Just fake it till you make it.

Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?

I wish I knew that at certain times, self-care can look like giving the minimum effort rather than the maximum- especially when you need a mental health break. You don’t have to get to every single reading or attend every single class. Don’t strive for perfectionism, strive for balance.

Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?

One benefit of completing my financial aid application is that it helps me to assist others in completing theirs. I’d like to work in the education field later on, so volunteering at financial aid events at various different schools has been a transformative experience for both me and the student.

Q: What will you miss the most about college?

I will miss my friends the most. I learned that “home” isn’t a place, but a feeling that emerges from good friends and positive experiences. I will leave college feeling enormously grateful to have such wonderful friends who make life so worth living.

Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time at FuturesNW?

My favorite memory from this experience has been the silly icebreakers we’ve done at team meetings. One of my favorites was an activity by Ashby: To draw Shrek from pure recollection (no pictures), and then share our new art pieces with each other.

Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?

In late June, I will leave on WWU’s Guanajuato’s faculty-led global learning program with a one-way ticket to Guanajuato, México. My plan is to stay there and teach English temporarily, because I will have graduated with my Human Services major and Spanish minor after finishing my study abroad this Summer. Wish me luck!

Summer Job Opportunities at Common Threads Farm

FuturesNW & Common Threads Food Educator Positions Available for High School Students!

Garden and Kitchen Support Needed at Common Threads Farm for Spring/Summer 2022 

Would you like to have a summer job? Do you love to garden, cook, and teach kids? Or, do you not really know how to do those things yet, but think it would be fun to learn? If so, Common Threads’ garden and kitchen support roles may be a good fit for you!

Our ideal candidates will:

  • Be curious, passionate, adaptable, caring

  • Contribute lived experience that helps diversify the perspectives represented on our team. People of color, transgender individuals, members of the LGBTQ community, people whose first language is one other than English, men, high school students, and people with lived experience of hunger and poverty are particularly encouraged to apply. 

  • Be excited to work with kids, and with food from seed to table (gardening and cooking)

  • Demonstrate a willingness to work flexibly as part of a team as well as a willingness to communicate promptly about questions, problems, and challenges

Position responsibilities:

  • As a garden support person, you will work closely with our AmeriCorps food educators to tend school gardens and to support elementary and middle school students in garden-based lessons (only if you’re available during the school day!)

  • As a kitchen support person, you will work closely with our AmeriCorps food educators to prepare and distribute food in a variety of settings ranging from in school, student-prepared meals to after-school clubs to summer camps and a  mobile food truck

  • In both positions, you will make a difference in the lives of young people by providing them not only with increased access to nourishing food but also with caring connections with a near-peer role model (that’s YOU!)

Note - if you’re hoping to be involved in both gardening and cooking, please indicate that preference on your application

Other requirements:

  • Willing to have a Washington State Background check run (a criminal record is not necessarily disqualifying)

  • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or able to demonstrate a religious or medical exemption. 

How to apply:

Total time commitment will be between 10-15 hours/week depending on how your availability matches our scheduling needs

Compensation: $14.49 per hour 

Please send your cover letter and resume to Megan Wingo at mwingo@futuresnw.org. 


We Need High School Peer Mentors!

High School Peer Mentors for Winter 2021-2022

Does peer-mentorship align with your learning goals, dreams, and career aspirations? Are you interested in a career as a teacher, counselor, social worker, manager, healthcare worker, or another related field? If the answer is yes, we want to hire YOU to become a PAID mentor at your high school! Keep reading to learn more. 

To perform successfully, you should show a willingness to grow in the following areas:  

  • Sensitivity: Communicates empathy and respect of individuals; ability to be appreciative of diverse perspectives and experiences

  • Integrity: Must be honest and take responsibility for actions; ability to set healthy limits

  • Relationship Building: Recognize the importance of relationships; devote energy to cultivating relationships


As a peer mentor, you will:

  • Help classmates become familiar with post-high school pathways

  • Schedule and attend regular mentorship meetings in group settings

  • Encourage your peers to plan for their lives after high school 

  • Assist classmates with financial aid applications, college applications, scholarship applications, and more

For the full job description, please CLICK HERE. To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to Megan Wingo at mwingo@futuresnw.org 


Join Us at the Whatcom Asset Building Coalition Quarterly Meeting

Click on the image below to register for this important September 21st event. Hear special keynote guest speaker, ESD regional economist Anneliese Vance-Sherman, present The Other Pandemic: Inequities in local COVID-19 economic impacts and recovery. Our Programs Manager, Ashley DeLatour, will also be providing attendees with an update and important resources about FAFSA/WAFSA (financial aid.) We’ll see you there!

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Congrats, Sandra! You Did It!

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It has been a privilege working with Sandra the past few months and watching her grow in her abilities. Our only regret is that we weren’t able to have her on our team for a longer amount of time! Sandra graduates this Spring from Western Washington University and it is with great pleasure we are able to exclaim, “Way to go! You DID it!!” Sandra spent her days with us in our DVR, grants, and operations arena. She is a logistical pro, a wonderful organizer, and always chimed in with the best ideas and processes to keep the whole team running on a smooth schedule. Workshop presentation and public speaking was her area of growth, and we were thrilled to witness her progression into a confident and capable workshop facilitator. Her grant writing abilities are superb, and she possesses a keen eye for details and technical writing. Whatever the task, she will complete it with professionalism, confidence, and a wonderfully kind and gentle spirit. Her next step after graduation is job hunting for a human services position. She will be a huge asset to her future employer and they will be the lucky ones to get to work with Sandra! We sat down with her to hear her reflections, thoughts and advice to future college students.

Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?

It feels surreal when I think about it. I remember my first day of the quarter of my first year at Western and thought that four years would feel like an eternity to finish. It truly felt like a blink of an eye, and boom, graduation is this weekend. Thinking back at the different experiences I’ve gone through and seeing how I’ve grown as a person and student. 

 

Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?

My biggest piece of advice is to take care of yourself and find a good support system. Navigating higher education is hard but having a good group of friends makes it better. I know at least for myself there were times when I thought that I couldn’t keep going. My friends were the ones who supported me through that and encouraged me to continue. Also, to listen to your body and take time to take care of yourself. Give yourself breaks and times to enjoy being a student. 

 

Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?

I wish I would have known how quickly the years go by and how important it is to find your community. Also, to not take myself so seriously all the time and to appreciate the small joyous moments. 

Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?

I was able to attend Western because I got financial aid. There was no way that me or my family could afford for me to go into higher education without going into massive debt. As a first-generation student I did not know what financial aid looked liked for higher education and I’m grateful that I had a support system that helped me navigate that. 

Q: What will you miss the most about college?

I’ll miss getting together in the ethnic student center and just talking to people. Finding conversation with people in the most random places and sparking a friendship from there. I will miss the community I gained in my time there. 

Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time at FuturesNW?

My favorite memory from my time at FuturesNW has been the team meetings. It was a great space to find support and talk through things. I would say that I especially liked our Skribblio team games were especially eventful. 

Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?

My next chapter will consist of job hunting and continuing to work at my family’s business until I find the right job.


Congrats, Cynthia! We're So Proud of You!

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Wow- where do we even start?! Cynthia has been a trailblazer this year with our organization developing/leading new programs; hosting our First Gen Fridays podcast and lead of the First Gen Navigators Program. Cynthia is a thoughtful leader and advocate, and when supported will accomplish anything she sets her mind to. In all the work she does, Cynthia centers student experiences in our community and helps them find resources and support to achieve their dreams. Cynthia’s vision for the future and drive for creating better systems will make her an asset to any team she joins. We are excited to see where Cynthia ends up after graduation, but one thing is certain- she will make a positive impact wherever she goes. In addition to this beautiful interview, Cynthia is also a featured student on the Ready WA blog (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) if you want to learn even more about her experience! Below, Cynthia has been generous to share her experiences with us, leaving another piece of her legacy for us to celebrate.

Q: First of all, how does it feel to have reached this huge accomplishment?

Knowing that I actually went to college, am getting a degree and graduating is crazy! I was never able to envision myself going to university so it is a surreal feeling. It is a huge accomplishment and I am super excited but I am also scared of the unknown, this is something I highlight in the First-Gen Fridays podcast. I have had jobs before but now I feel that I am equipped with skills to go into my career which is something completely new to me. Since I am a first-generation student I feel like I am doing the process of going to college all over again but this time it's getting into the world of working. There will be so many things that I do not know but I am excited about the new things I learn along the way. 

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Q: What advice would you give other students who are either thinking about college or in the process of completing a degree?

If you are a student interested in going to college, definitely do your research. Look into the schools you are interested in and look at what majors they offer and the classes with that major. You want to look into their dorms if you are interested in living there, clubs or an ethnic student center for community, and the requirements of that college in order to attain a degree and graduate. An important thing to remember is that different majors, colleges, or programs have different requirements so it's crucial to look into those requirements and talk it over with the department head/adviser of the program you are interested in. Many students worry about the pricing of university, in my circumstance I am low income and did struggle financially my first year at university. If I were to do things differently I would have definitely gone to a community college first to knock out the core class requirements and then just transferred over to a university, it would have saved me a lot of money and better prepared me. One thing I did during my process of completing my degree is getting a second opinion. I utilized my adviser when I came in asking about classes I still needed and what I should be taking the next quarter. I often felt confused or would catch something that didn’t make sense so I would ask another faculty member in the department to look over my schedule. Other faculty members would find mistakes so I am glad I trusted my gut instinct, I saved myself from taking pointless classes and prolonging my time at university.   

Q: What did you wish you would have known as you navigated higher education?

Everything! Coming into college I had no idea how college worked, how they assigned classes, what classes look like. I wish I had someone who was a current student to talk about their experiences and the things they learned along the way. I also wished the university would have advertised their services better, like resources for first-generation students, BIPOC students, mental health, and financial support. As a first-generation student and having no knowledge at all, I didn’t know where to go for these resources or if they existed. I think universities should improve their outreach and advertising of resources to first-generation students. First-generation students will not seek out support if they don’t know what they are supposed to be looking for.   


Q: How did completing your Financial Aid application help you reach your goals?

Without filling for FAFSA my senior year in high school and every year I was in college, there would be no way I could have afforded to go to college. I was fortunate to receive the College Bound Scholarship and a bunch of other grants to pay for most of my education, the rest I paid out of pocket but it was an amount that I could manage. Completing a financial aid application can be crucial for many students, even if you don’t think you will get anything it doesn't affect you in any way to just apply and see if you receive some form of money. 

Q: What will you miss the most about college?

What I’ll miss most is springtime on campus. The flowers and cherry blossoms start to bloom and the sun is coming out. Walking after class with music playing was one of the most relaxing parts of my days.


Q: What is a favorite memory you have from your time FuturesNW?

The supportive environment with the Futures NW team is something I will always cherish. I have never been in a position where my input and ideas were taken seriously. Everyone was so supportive and amazing to work with, our meetings were always the best to attend and was something I always looked forward to every week. 


Q: What’s your next chapter looking like?

I have learned so much through my internship and the lasting connections I have made with my students. I am currently struggling with job searching as there are not many positions that are opened due to the pandemic, but I remain hopeful that I can continue supporting students in reaching their educational dreams through college and career readiness. 

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Welcome to the Team, Ashby!

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We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest team member, Ashby McCoy. She is working with us through a year-long, master’s-level internship at Tulane University.

Q: Can you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself?

A: I am originally from a small Western Massachusetts town. I let my love for adventure and working with youth take me around the world. Since graduating from the College of Charleston in South Carolina where I studied Art’s Management and Environmental Sustainability, I have worked as an outdoor educator and instructor in Alaska, Montana, and New Hampshire. Looking to deepen my experience and skills in social-emotional learning and experiential education, I moved to Maine to work at a Leadership School, and then to Jackson, WY to pursue place-based education at Teton Science Schools. Finding a passion for youth development, I joined the Peace Corps and served in Morocco as a Youth Development Specialist teaching English and life skills to Moroccan youth. As Covid cut my service short, upon returning to the States I worked as a Program Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club in Missoula, MT. I am currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work at Tulane University and just moved to Bellingham after spending the winter in Teton Valley, ID. I am excited to explore my new community and join the Futures Northwest team!

Q: What is one piece of advice you wish you could have given your college self in hindsight?

A: I would tell myself to not take my surrounding community for granted. I have always had “the grass is greener mentality”, always looking to the next thing. Coming from a rural, progressive area of Massachusetts, I never felt I “fit in” to the southern city of Charleston, South Carolina. My first year I wanted to transfer, and then found my people in crew. My senior year, my best and happiest year in college, I was planning and looking forward to my adventures post-graduation. Looking back on my time in college, I wish I enjoyed the place I was living and the people in it. College can be a self-involved time, looking ahead to your future and career, but it can also be a time of self-growth and finding your passions. I wish in college I had taken more opportunities and risks, and was more involved. I wish I had relished in the opportunity of education and community, the opportunity to explore who I was and the world around me.

Q: What would your friends and family say is your biggest strength?

A: I think what my family and friends would say is my biggest strength is my ability to connect with other people, to find commonalities and joy. They would say the lens I look at the world through and the way I seek adventure makes me unique, and the reason they love me. When in doubt, laughter is the answer.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at FuturesNW?

A: I am most looking forward to being a part of a community, and to having a voice in it. The opportunity to be involved and to be an active participant in a community is a privilege. Having just moved to the Bellingham area, I am excited to have FuturesNW as a connection to the community and to being a part of it!

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