Q: To start off, you said that you were going into your senior year. So, are you 17?

A: Yeah, I’m 17.

Q: You got started with KidVantage through the TIPS program, right?

A: Yeah.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about how that opportunity presented itself?

A: So, I found out about TIPS through my counselor, my school counselor. She’s amazing, love her. But she sent out emails like, “Hey, there’s this cool opportunity called Teens in Public Service that provides internships to teens in high school and they’re paid internships.” And she’s like, “You can go ahead and apply if you’re interested.” And so, I applied… I think over 600 teens applied, and then I got the email that they wanted me for an interview. I was like, “Yay!” So, I did the interview. It was my first interview ever. So, it was an interesting experience. And then I got in. Actually, I was really surprised. I was one of 85 people that got in. And I was shocked, because there were so many people. And I was like, “Wow, that’s amazing.” Oh, you know what’s funny? One of my friends who’s at my high school, who’s in my friend group, she also got in. She’s the only other person from our high school that got in. So, it’s fun. We have somebody to like, go together when we go to the events and stuff.

Q: When you figured out that you were going to be doing an internship, did you know that it would be with a nonprofit?

A: Yeah, so I knew that Teens in Public Service placed teens at nonprofits specifically, so I kind of expected it to be a nonprofit. But before this experience, I didn’t really know that much about nonprofits. Like, I knew what they were as an idea, but I’ve never really been in one and worked in one.

Q: Have you done any volunteering prior to coming to KidVantage?

A: Yeah, I have done volunteering. I actually volunteer at, I think it’s part of the TIPS program, at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. It’s a riding center for disabled kids, and it helps them get horse assisted therapy. It’s awesome. I really love volunteering there.

Q: Would you say that since starting your internship, that your perspective of nonprofits has changed? And if so, how?

A: Definitely I think that my perspective on nonprofits beforehand, I was like, “Okay, yeah, they seem like they do good things for the community.” Now I realize that they are so, so vital and important. Especially KidVantage, there’s so many kids that need essentials, and I’m so happy to be able to provide them. And I was like, “Wow, this nonprofit is doing amazing things. I can’t imagine what all the other nonprofits are doing too.” I feel like my eyes have been open to more of the behind the scenes. Like you see the community, but the nonprofits are supporting this community.

Q: What have you learned that has surprised you the most?

A: Probably just the demand… The demand is pretty crazy here, but I can’t imagine what it’s like at the Issaquah Hub. I see the list you have, like, hundreds of bundles… but yes, the demand for everything is crazy, and especially hygiene products. Every week there’s tons of kids that want shampoo and conditioner and soap, and when we’re able to provide that, I’m super happy.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory in the hub so far?

A: There’s always so many fun little things that happen, like weird little donations or fun donations we find. And this might have been kind of chaotic, but… I thought it was kind of exciting. We had a delivery, a big delivery of diapers, like a big truck, and oh my god, Courtney was amazing at the pallet jack. But we had these, like massive boxes, stacks of diapers, and they were tipping and everything. And I was doing donations at the same time. And one of the lumberyard people came and helped with a forklift. And so, I was going in between the forklift and the truck trying to do donations, it was really chaotic, but I thought it was exciting.

Q: Do you have a favorite task or activity that you typically do at the hub?

A: Well, I love the stuffed animals but I also really like setting up the provider shop area. When I got here… the dress rack was bare. And I was like, “I need to fix that.” So, I went and got cute summer dresses from all the sizes, and hung them up, and then I put hats on top. I love it so much. And then the providers loved it. But after the first week, they were like, “Are there any like, boys’ clothes?” And so, I was like, “Oh, yeah! How can I forget?” So, I went through the same thing with boys’ clothes, and now we have girls and boys summer outfits. It’s really satisfying when you see after the provider’s come it’s like, bare. It’s like, wow, they loved it.

Q: How would you personally describe the impact that KidVantage has on the community?

A: Well, I don’t see the impact firsthand but just from the behind the scenes, I can see that it is a massive impact already. We partner with so many organizations that give to so many kids. It’s just incredible and I can’t even imagine the scale of the impact. I see the list of orders and stuff… and then you think about it, and you’re like, “Wow, that’s so many people’s lives…” KidVantage has an incredible impact. I’m so happy to be part of it.

Q: Why do you personally feel that KidVantage is important?

A: Well, like I said, I see the demand. I think if there is this much demand, there’s so many kids that need help, and so KidVantage provides that help, and that’s just incredibly important for kids in need.

Q: Is there one thing that you think everyone should know about KidVantage?

A: You can volunteer here. We always need more help.

Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering but hasn’t yet?

A: Absolutely do it. It’s awesome here. We can always use more help. We usually have people sort clothes and stuff, but if you don’t want to do that, we can definitely find you a different task to do, like toys or hygiene or formula. There’s so much to do, you could do a different thing every day you come in.

Q: How would you describe KidVantage to someone that knows nothing about it?

A: So, when I’ve been describing KidVantage to my friends or acquaintances and stuff, I’ve been saying it’s like a Goodwill for kids, but it’s so much more than a Goodwill for kids. There’s toys, hygiene products… bedding and strollers, everything, there’s so much more than just the clothes… And then I elaborate that we provide essentials to kids in need.

Q: Is there anything that you have learned while interning with KidVantage that you feel you will take with you to your next job or just with you in life?

A: Definitely. I’ve definitely learned more of the importance of communication. Like following direction, communicating, especially in a kind of chaotic and fast paced environment like this… I’m always encouraged to ask questions, clarify everything, just to make sure that there’s no misunderstandings. And, yeah, I’ve definitely learned about that here.

Q: If you had to describe KidVantage and one to three words, what would they be?

A: Probably provides for kids.

Q: Do you foresee yourself coming back to volunteer after your internship is over?

A: Hopefully, I do live a little further away… but I hope I can definitely come back to visit…

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.