Program Summary:
Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is a community-based, local economic development organization which has engaged individuals and small businesses in community-building strategies for over 40 years. Our mission is to achieve economic justice for San Francisco’s low and moderate income Latino families through asset development. Four years ago, MEDA launched Plaza Adelante, a one-stop financial and asset development center. Plaza Adelante Tech Center (PATC) provides digital literacy training, employment training, job placement and career advancement opportunities. All trainings are provided in both Spanish and English. Plaza Adelante Tech Center helps families learn about free and low cost broadband and computer options, to ensure families are connected to the internet at home and can use the computer and internet for academic and economic success. In November, MEDA opened our Mission Neighborhood Access Point, a technology hub for families who don’t have access to the internet at home, and for low-income job seekers to learn new skills and search for jobs.
MEDA’s Young Adult WorkLink “Mission Techies” Academy Program is designed to ensure that disconnected Latino youth ages 18-24 obtain and retain living-wage, long-term employment and have access to opportunities for career growth. The program is evidence-based, and includes customized sector based training programs for technology careers (tech support) careers, as well as placement, retention and career ladder components. All of our participants receive assessment, career counseling, placement and retention services, and access to supportive services that remove barriers to employment. The long term goal of the program is to put youth on a path towards continuing adult education and careers in information technology (tech support) or jobs that require computer literacy.
Purpose:
Share your technology skills with underserved Latino youth! As a Mission Techies Support you can help provide or supplement our computer education training and/or hands-on job training in computer maintenance and repair. You will work directly with youth participants and provide support as they learn computer skills to help them gain employment.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Become familiar with instruction materials and lesson plan
- Provide supplementary instruction and assistance for youth participants
- Lead small group sessions or training workshops on relevant technology topics
- Observe youth to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other characteristics.
- Mentor youth to further their education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities.
- Report back to staff on participant’s progress.
- Maintain confidentiality of all client information.
- Attend at least once a week session or once every other two weeks.
Qualifications:
- Skilled with technology; coding, computer repair, web design.
- Ability to work with the public in a helpful and supportive manner.
- Friendly, positive, professional demeanor.
- Must be extremely reliable and able to follow through on commitments.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills with people from diverse cultures and life circumstances.
- Previous experience working with marginalized youth is appreciated.
- Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are preferred
Benefits:
- Help make a substantial difference in the lives of our young clients and directly contribute to their success
- Opportunity to share your skills and knowledge with a great group of young people
- Be engaged in the Mission community and give back to its residents
Time Commitment:
- The group meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12pm – 3pm
- We require that our Support volunteers attend at least one full three hour session.
For more information, please contact Lucia Obregon, Volunteer Services Manager: lobregon@medasf.org or (415) 282-3334 ext. 156.
