Traveling Stories Teen Work Study Program
The Traveling Stories Work Study Program gives high school students the opportunity to get paid while they build job readiness skills and make a difference in their community.
At Traveling Stories, our primary focus is on delivering high quality literacy support to children in 1st-3rd grade, so how does a teen work study program fit into our strategy? We’re glad you asked.
In 2020, Traveling Stories pivoted to an online program model in response to COVID-19. We built the Virtual StoryTent program and starting matching students with trained reading mentors for weekly, one-on-one reading sessions online. Since then, enrollment has grown from 10+ students to 65+ students.
To keep up with growing demand, Traveling Stories needed more manpower to provide virtual support on program days. By partnering with Jackie Robinson YMCA, United Way of San Diego, and the Level Up Grant we found a way to address our program’s needs while creating a paid, career-readiness opportunity for high school students.
We used to have to cancel reading sessions whenever there was a last minute emergency or conflict. Now, because of the Work Study program, we rarely have to cancel a session. Work Study teens are trained, equipped, and ready to help!
-Bethany Moberly, Traveling Stories Systems Manager and Work Study Supervisor
Students who are interested in the Work Study program begin by signing up for a job interview with a Traveling Stories staff person. If they are selected for the program, they complete job training and then are assigned to a program shift. The Work Study Program schedule coincides with the Virtual StoryTent schedule. Work Study Teens work out of Jackie Robinson YMCA Teen Center and report to a Traveling Stories staff member. In addition to providing virtual support to volunteers and readers during program, Work Study Teens also build Traveling Stories’ capacity by doing administrative and marketing tasks.
The first Work Study program took place from April - June 2022 and had 14 Program Assistants. The current Work Study program will run from June - August 2022 and has 2 StoryTent Captains, and 4 Program Assistants.
“It’s exciting working with teenagers and watching them grow in their professional skills. Their aspirations and positive outlook are refreshing.”
-Bethany Moberly, Traveling Stories Systems Manager and Work Study Supervisor
The Work Study Program is made possible due to the Level Up Grant and our partners United Way of San Diego and Jackie Robinson YMCA. Because of their support, Traveling Stories has been able to build the capacity and quality of our Virtual StoryTent program while also empowering local teens.
Work Study Job Descriptions:
1) StoryTent Captain
The StoryTent Captain is a leadership role. The Captain hosts the Virtual StoryTent program on Zoom and greet students and volunteers as they arrive (virtually) for their session. The Captain assigns students and volunteers to breakout rooms, provides basic technical support during sessions, and supervises a Help Desk Volunteer. The Captain ensures that text reminders are sent to late students/volunteers, and that volunteers complete reports after their session.
2) Program Assistant
As a Program Assistant, students provide virtual support to volunteers and readers who participate in the Virtual StoryTent program. This may include looking up a reader/volunteer’s login info, troubleshooting a tech challenge, and issuing Book Bucks when a session has to be canceled last minute. Duties may also include monitoring program sessions, filling in as a reading mentor if a volunteer is absent, and supporting Traveling Stories with administrative tasks.
“It’s exciting working with teenagers and watching them grow in their professional skills. Their aspirations and positive outlook are refreshing.”
-Bethany Moberly, Traveling Stories Systems Coordinator and Work Study Supervisor