In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Girls Rock Santa Barbara launched its first-ever paid internship for teen girls and gender-expansive youth, allowing the organization to continue to provide a safe, collaborative environment and encourage lifelong skills such as positive peer bonding and self-confident resilience. The six week “Summer of Love Internship” takes place from June 29 to August 7, 2020 and each intern earns $500 - www.girlsrocksb.org/summer-internships
“Many of our campers, counselors, even local bands spend the entire year holding their breath until they can truly be themselves at camp,” explains Executive Director Jen Baron. “For many of them, Girls Rock SB summer camp programs are an environment unlike anything else they have in their lives, and we want to keep instilling those feelings of safety, empowerment, and accomplishment however we can.” Hundreds of high school-aged girls applied to the program, from incoming freshmen to newly graduated seniors, and from as far away as Tokyo, Japan. 42 interns were chosen to participate in six arts-focused disciplines: Record Label, Recording Artist, Social Media, Journalism, Photography, and Podcasting.
Over 50 special guests have been secured to participate throughout the internship including Grammy-nominated music artist Elle King, Lennon Stella manager Genevieve Thompson, Hole drummer Patty Schemel, and Twentyseven Music owner and songwriter Jenna Andrews.
Each of the disciplines are taught by an experienced female mentor who will share their knowledge and resources with her inspiring interns. Interns will work within and between their disciplines to publish polished pieces each week, as well as host and share virtual community events and music performances via Instagram Live. From their respective homes, all 42 interns and their six mentors, including young musicians, journalists, and marketers just beginning to discover their authentic voices, will come together, immersing themselves in their chosen disciplines to produce meaningful, hands-on work each week.
Upon completion of the six weeks, interns receives a $500 stipend, letter of recommendation from her/their mentor, and official Certificate of Completion. Girls Rock Santa Barbara has fundraised tirelessly to be able to offer this paid internship program at a time when so many teen girls need it most: $21,000 to furnish 42 interns’ stipends, plus the cost of employing six inspiring mentors, staff pulling the virtual strings behind the scenes. To support Girls Rock Santa Barbara’s mission to empower girls and gender-expansive youth in any environment, please visit www.girlsrocksb.org/donate.
