Marin County

County Offering Internships for Young People

Published

7 years ago

April 29, 2019

Career Explorer Youth Program designed to assist those aged 16-22

With a strong motivation to fostering equity and fair opportunity, the County of Marin’s Career Explorer Youth Program is embarking on its fourth year of teaching vocational skills and offering work experience for young people between ages 16 and 22.

Recruitment is underway through May 31 for an eight-week summer paid internship opportunity with various departments at the County of Marin. The application is online.

The Marin County Probation Department collaborates with the County’s Department of Human Resources and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer the program. Internships are available in those three departments plus the Fire Department, the Marin County Free Library, the County Counsel’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Community Development Agency, the County Administrator’s Office, Marin County Parks, the Department of Public Works, and the Board of Supervisors’ Office.

“We’re really proud of this program,” said Luis Luciano, Employment Development Counselor with the Probation Department. “Last year we received more than 120 applications. It’s a competitive system, so these young people can learn a lot just by going through the application process. Those selected for internships will get an amazing chance to see what it’s like in the workforce and possibly steer them toward a certain career.”

One of the most valuable facets of the program is introductory employment training such as resume writing, interview preparation, public speaking, and best practices for completing job applications. The young people learn about cultural competency, bias, generational differences in the workplace, conflict resolution, and financial literacy. Luciano said four past interns have continued contributing for the County in part-time paid capacities.

Interns generally work weekdays between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., excluding holidays, and start with an orientation period. All participants receive $100 per week during the two-week orientation. Host departments then welcome selected interns and get them involved with projects that work well with their existing interests and skills. The interns are paid between $13.35 and $14.44 per hour.

A key objective of the program is to provide opportunities to youths who reside in communities and/or circumstances that traditionally present barriers to employment. That may include personal experiences with the juvenile justice system, family members with experience in either the juvenile or adult justice systems, or residence in neighborhoods often impacted by crime.

The program was borne from the County’s 5 Year Business Plan, which includes the focus areas of “diversity and inclusion” and “growth and development.” The Career Explorer program creates a diverse, skilled, and local candidate pool for employment opportunities in a manner that promotes growth and development. Those who complete the internships are recognized in a graduation ceremony in the Board of Supervisors’ chamber at the Marin County Civic Center.

The Probation Department uses funds from a state grant to cover the costs of stipends, work uniforms, food, transportation and supervision for the interns. Departments that employ the interns also contribute to the cost of the program.

To learn more about the program or to obtain a printed application, contact Development Counselor Luis Luciano.

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Activism

Marin Civic Center Library Marks Black History Month with 3 Events

The Civic Center Library’s Afternoon Book Club will celebrate and commemorate Black History and will meet in person on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 1-2 p.m. to discuss “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead. (This afternoon book club generally meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

Published

11 months ago

February 10, 2025

Oakland Post

Fauna Solomon, “The Nickel Boys” book cover, Keenan D. Webster. Photos courtesy of Marin County Civic Center Library.

By Godfrey Lee

The Marin County Civic Center Library in San Rafael will be celebrating Black History Month with presentations by Fauna Solomon on the steelpan drum, Keenan D. Webster on West African music and a book club discussion on “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead.

The library is located at 3501 Civic Center Dr., Room 427, in San Rafael, CA. 94903. Their phone number is (415) 473-6057.

Solomon will be sharing about the history and sounds of the steelpan drum on Friday, Feb. 14, from 12- 12:45 p.m. at the Civic Center Library.

Solomon is a former teacher and professional musician from Guyana, South America, and uses storytelling and performance to explore the complex and dynamic history of the instrument. Having played since age 5, Fauna has performed across the country. Her program traces the steelpan’s evolution from the West Indies to its global recognition, offering insight into its cultural and historical significance.

The Civic Center Library’s Afternoon Book Club will celebrate and commemorate Black History. It will meet in person on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 1-2 p.m. to discuss “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead. (This afternoon book club generally meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

A copy of the book can be requested online, or ask at the Info Desk of the Civic Center Library (or call 415-473-6057) for assistance in placing a hold.

“The Nickel Boys” is the story of two boys unjustly sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida and is based on the real story of the Nickel Academy, a reform school that operated for 111 years and warped the lives of thousands of children.

When Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors. Elwood’s only salvation is his friendship with fellow “delinquent” Turner, which deepens despite Turner’s conviction that Elwood is hopelessly naive, that the world is crooked, and that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble. As life at the academy becomes ever more perilous, the tension between Elwood’s ideals and Turner’s skepticism leads to a decision whose repercussions will echo down the decades.

Later in the afternoon at the Civic Center Library, local musician Keenan D. Webster will be sharing about the traditional instruments of the Mandinka and the Mande-speaking people of West Africa on from 4-5 p.m. on Feb. 20.

Experience the Kora (West African Mandinka harp), the Kamele Ngoni (West African Mande harp), the Balaphone (Mandinka xylophone), and more. Feel the beauty, fire, and energy of this incredible music, and learn how these traditions gave birth to the banjo and influenced blues, jazz, and popular music of today.

Webster was born in Nashville, Tennessee. His love for the blues, spirituals, and gospel and folk music of the South deepened in his youth. As a teenager in Los Angeles, California, he became fascinated with African, Afro-Cuban, reggae, and other music from the African diaspora, and was further inspired to learn about his roots, music, culture and spirituality with the Gullah, Mandinka, Mende and Yoruba people of West Africa.

He started with drums of West Africa and Afro-Cuban roots. Then came jazz and Blues, playing the saxophone and flute, and later the Native American flute. He has a deep appreciation for world music and has familiarized himself with classical music from India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Webster has been on a mission to use music for world peace, healing, to fight against racism, and to bring all people together.

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Activism

Andre Thierry Explores Zydeco Music at Marin City Library

Grammy-nominated Andre Thierry leads the musical program with an interactive, engaging experience that combines traditional and newly composed music.

Published

11 months ago

January 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Andre Thierry’s music program for kids. Courtesy photo.

By Godfrey Lee

The “Are You Ready to Learn” music program allows children, families, and adults, to explore the rich Kreole culture and Zydeco music of southwestern Louisiana.

Grammy-nominated Andre Thierry leads the musical program with an interactive, engaging experience that combines traditional and newly composed music.

The program, created by Thierry, showcases a mix of African and Native American Blues and French Kreole dance melodies with elements of Afro-Caribbean music.

Children and families sing and dance while learning about popular Zydeco instruments like vest rub boards, drums, and accordion.

For information on the program, go to https://www.andrethierry.com

The free program will take place on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 1 p.m., at the Marin City Library, 164 Donahue St., in Marin City. For more information, call 415-332-6158.

Thierry will be performing again the Fairfax Library, 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax, on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. For more information, call 415-453-8092.

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Alameda County

Brian Colbert Sworn in as Marin County’s First Black Supervisor

A 10-year San Anselmo resident, Former San Anselmo Mayor Brian Colbert was raised in Connecticut and has degrees from Oberlin (Ohio) College and the University of Chicago Law School. He worked on Wall Street, with several tech startups, and for a concierge medical practice in San Francisco. He was elected to the San Anselmo Town Council in 2017, was reelected in 2020, and served twice as mayor.

Published

11 months ago

January 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Brian Colbert joined the Marin County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14. Photo by Bob Dell. Courtesy of MarinShares.

By Oakland Post Staff

Former San Anselmo Mayor Brian Colbert officially joined the Marin County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 as the District 2 representative. Colbert’s swearing-in was a celebratory event at the Marin County Civic Center that coincided with the swearing in of District 3 Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters for a second term. District 1 Supervisor Mary Sackett, who has been selected as Board President, took her oath of office that day.

Colbert was elected in November 2024 to replace retired District 2 Supervisor Katie Rice, who served in that role since 2011 and completed 20 years of service as a county employee.

Colbert now represents the entire Ross Valley area following seven years on the San Anselmo Town Council.

A 10-year San Anselmo resident, Colbert was raised in Connecticut and has degrees from Oberlin (Ohio) College and the University of Chicago Law School. He worked on Wall Street, with several tech startups, and for a concierge medical practice in San Francisco. He was elected to the San Anselmo Town Council in 2017, was reelected in 2020, and served twice as mayor.

“As your newly elected official, I am committed to working tirelessly for the people of Marin County,” Colbert said. “Our county’s unique and distinct character — its natural beauty, diverse communities, and innovative spirit — makes it a place like no other.”

Colbert continued, “I will approach every challenge through the prism of preserving these values, focusing on solutions that promote economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and resilience. My pledge is to listen to your concerns, act with integrity, and ensure that every voice is heard as we tackle the issues that matter most and building a brighter future where opportunity and compassion go hand in hand.”

The Marin County Board of Supervisors members are (from left, standing) District 3’s Stephanie Moulton-Peters, District 4’s Dennis Rodoni, District 5’s Eric Lucan, District 2’s Brian Colbert, and (seated) District 1’s Mary Sackett, who is serving as Board President for 2025.

The ceremony included Colbert taking his public oath of office, administered by his daughter. There were also celebratory elements such as a performance by gospel singers from his district.

Supervisor Colbert’s swearing-in is a milestone for Marin County, as he is the first African American elected to the Board since its inception in 1852.

The Board typically meets two or three times a month on Tuesday mornings in the Board chamber of the Marin County Civic Center, Suite 330 in San Rafael. Meetings are conducted both in person at the chamber and also via videoconference to increase public engagement opportunities.

Meeting start times are usually 9 AM. All Board meetings are televised live on channel 27 for Marin County subscribers of Comcast/Xfinity and streamed live on MarinCounty.gov. Videos and agendas of the meetings dating to 2005 are archived on the website as well.

“We have a collaborative Board of Supervisors that is grounded in finding solutions for the good of our constituents, the County overall, and the health of our planet,” Sackett said during her opening remarks Tuesday. “I am focused on the County delivering essential services efficiently and effectively.”