Skokomish WFD

North 93 Reservation Rd, Skokomish, WA 98584

Meeting Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am. to 5:00 pm.

Phone: (360) 877-2200    Fax: (360) 877-2062

 

WFD Mission

Skokomish workforce development will assist native families with the tools necessary to promote the empowerment of Native families to become self-sufficient so they can support and nurture themselves, their children, and the community.

Program Goals

1. 1. Assisting needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes.
   2. Reducing the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage.
   3. Preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
   4. Encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

SKOKOMISH YOUTH PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Skokomish Tribe and SPIPA Workforce Development (WFD) would like to welcome you to the Skokomish Youth Program. We provide multiple programs, services, and events for youth in grades kindergarten through 12th grade and their families. The majority of staff are Skokomish Tribal members who have grown up and spent all of our lives here on the Reservation. We personally know and love the community and families that we serve. Working for our Tribe, community, and the youth is not just our job—it’s our life. The Skokomish youth are our future and what we do with our time spent with them here and now is crucial.

The goals of the Skokomish Youth Program are as follows:

• Enhance cultural awareness, education, and identity among Skokomish youth.
• Provide space, resources, and opportunities for promoting collective and individual growth and life skills development.
• Provide fun, safe, and meaningful activities for youth to participate in.
• Build youth confidence in their skills, self-expression, and critical thinking.
• Build community connections and intergenerational relationships.
• Connect youth to cultural, educational, mental health, employment, and other useful resources.
• Prepare youth for future success.

SKOKOMISH YOUTH PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Tom’s After School Program is a 2-3 hour session that runs Monday-Thursday immediately after school. Tom’s ASP serves Skokomish community youth in grades kindergarten through 8th grade, focusing on the following themes: Math, Sports/Physical Fitness, Art, Culture/Tradition/Treaty Rights, Nutrition, Native History, Drug Prevention, Current Events in Indian Country, and Science. We rotate these themes through the weeks of the school year, creating diverse activities, discussions, and learning experiences adapted for each age group. A healthy meal is also provided during the program. In addition, we offer educational field trips, host guest speakers, and bring in cultural specialists throughout the year.

Winter Culture Camp takes place during Hood Canal School’s winter break. This event ranges from 2-4 days depending on the calendar each year. Cultural specialists and contracted teachers are hired to share their skillsets with our Skokomish youth. Winter Culture Camp gives the youth the opportunity to learn new cultural activities, while creating Christmas gifts for loved ones.

Spring Culture Camp takes place during Hood Canal School’s spring break. This event ranges from 3-5 days and usually includes an educational outdoor field trip at the end of the week. Like Winter Culture Camp, this event also hires cultural specialists and contracted teachers to teach our youth new cultural skills and increase their knowledge.

Summer Recreation is a 6-7 week program starting after July 4th. For youth who have graduated kindergarten through 8th grade, we offer a Monday-to-Thursday day camp setting featuring a variety of educational, cultural, and recreational activities, including educational field trips. A healthy meal is provided to participating youth during the day. Fridays are set aside for Teen Days, which are activities and field trips designed specifically for youth ages 13-18.

In Skokomish Teen Council, Skokomish teens collaborate to become a unified voice and facilitate positive change within the Skokomish Community. We have regular meetings, covering topics ranging from Skokomish history and culture to life skills, environmental justice, health, wellness, and more. Teens have plenty of opportunities to volunteer, contribute, and discover new experiences while participating in community events, traditional teachings, field trips, conferences, and other great activities. Healthy food is provided. In addition, we have dedicated advisors available for support that can connect youth to numerous educational, employment, and health resources.

The Teen Internship Program provides an opportunity for Skokomish teens to engage in job skills trainings, life skills classes, and cultural demonstrations. Teens also get to explore a wide variety of jobs and career types. We partner with Tribal Departments and non-tribal organizations to provide meaningful summer employment to youth who have just completed grades 9-12. Lunch is provided.

Other activities may take place in the evenings and on weekends, such as drive-thru celebrations, family nights, Teen Days, basketball games, and softball tournaments. You can stay up-to-date with our latest activities and current events by reading The Sounder, checking out the Skokomish Youth Facebook page, visiting SkokTeens.org or contacting one of the Youth Program staff

REGISTER FOR THE SKOKOMISH YOUTH PROGRAM

To sign up for the Skokomish Youth Program, fill out a registration packet (one per family per year) and return it to us. Registration packets are available in the Youth Program dropbox on the porch of the WFD building (former TANF building, located at 93 N Reservation Rd) or by contacting a Youth Program staff member.

Staff

Position	Staff Member	Telephone	E-Mail
Site Manager	Lea Miller	360-877-2200 x.2505	leam@skokomish.org
Case Manager	Mona Allen	360-877-2200 x.2503	mallen@skokomish.org
Case Manager	Jamie Kenyon	360-877-2200 x.2506	jkenyon@skokomish.org
Office Manager	Rita Andrews	360-877-2200 x.2500	randrews@skokomish.org
Youth Program Manager	Chris James	360-490-8161	cjames@skokomish.org
Family & Youth Specialist	Vacant
Youth Prevention Coordinator	Fawn Gouley	360-490-8321	fgouley@skokomish.org
Youth Prevention Coordinator	Willie Grover	360-490-2055	wgrover@skokomish.org
Activities & Transportation Assistant	Corbett Gamber	360-463-1890	cgamber@skokomish.org
Transportation Coordinator	Allen Carrington	360-549-6106	acarrington@skokomish.org