The Alex Foundation, a 501 c-3, recently launched its internship in Lake Village for 10 high school and college youth. Participants were recommended by their high school counselor, classroom teacher, and from previous participation in Alex Foundation’s architecture and design programs.
The internship provides work-based learning experiences for youth to obtain skills in an environment that supports learning to work while working to learn. It allows youth to be employed by Alex Foundation for 30 hours a week, providing real-world knowledge, relevant employment, and compensation. With this, youth can acquire resources to equip them with problem-solving, team-building, analytical reasoning, technical, creative, and critical skills such as STE+AM (science, technology, engineering, architecture, and math), thereby preparing them for 21 st century careers. Funded through a subgrant award by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) and Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC), participants were accepted for employment after a rigorous process.
The youth participants are Janett Solorio, Kathy Mondragon, Aidan Marcum, Javier Mondragon, Madeline Bush, Heath Wilburn, Carmella Mondragon, Dayton Dossier, and Quinten Shaw.
Participants began their internship at the Lake Village Expo (formerly National Guard Armory) with architect Brent Shelor of Hot Springs, and fabrication and metal designer Jeff Childers of Lake Village.
Shelor and Childers, both introduced youth to careers in their respective profession, and the skills required to be successful. Shelor also led the youth on a tour and guided them to complete a sketch design project of the Tushek Building, an adaptive repurposed building constructed in the early 1900s by Austro-Hungarian John Tushek. The building is now the offices for the City of Lake Village.
Jeff Childers, a metal fabricator, and designer, met with youth interns on two Saturdays, October 9 and October 16. During his first meeting with the interns, Childers gave a presentation on metalwork, shared his journey into the profession, and provided instructions on measurements and math concepts.
For those interested in architecture, Shelor suggests working as an intern in the field of architecture to gain firsthand knowledge and experience. Shelor says an internship is important to do various tasks. “Not only should you do office tasks but get out into the field and see actual projects in progress. This will in turn, give you a better insight into whether this career is meant for you, or if you should look for other opportunities,” he said.
