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PRESS ROOM

Susie Steckner
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Building civic-minded leaders

Nearly two dozen non-profit organizations are getting a boost from newly hired apprentices who will pluck projects off wish lists and get them under way.

Most of the 22 young people are working in Phoenix, with a few placements around the Valley. Their work is benefiting everything from the environment to the senior citizen community, and their projects are as varied as educating people about predatory lending to creating an alumni program for Latino leaders.

Local officials with the Public Allies apprentice program say the community will benefit not only in the 10 months that young people are hard at work here, but also years down the road.

"As we graduate cohorts of Allies, we are building a critical mass of young, diverse leaders who will lead non-profits in the future, start non-profits in some cases, and continue to be civically engaged in the community for years to come," said Michelle Lyons-Mayer, program director for Public Allies Arizona.

Public Allies is a national program, established in 1992, that places service-minded young women and men at non-profit organizations. About 15 communities around the country are taking part, and Arizona placed its first class of apprentices in October.

Public Allies Arizona is a program of Arizona State University's Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

The program's tab is about $600,000, which includes stipends paid to the young people at the end of their service.

Arizona has 19 apprentices and was expected to have 22 by the end of November. The class members have diverse backgrounds and a range of interests, Lyons-Mayer said.

Ayensa Sotelo, 23, who just graduated from ASU, is contemplating going to law school but she's also interested in the non-profit sector. Public Allies and her apprenticeship at Community Legal Services is a perfect fit.

Sotelo, who is bilingual, is working on community education and outreach for the non-profit legal aid group. She is focusing on predatory mortgage lending and plans to organize outreach programs to help protect senior citizens, minorities and women.

"The (Public Allies) program is just perfect," Sotelo said. "It gives me the opportunity to work with the community, give back to the community, and at the same time develop my skills."

In addition to their work at individual non-profits, the apprentices are also required to take part in several community-service projects. Last month, as part of Make A Difference Day, the group painted a senior citizen's home. Now, they are collecting blankets for the homeless.

Public Allies is banking on the enthusiasm of people like Sotelo to bring projects to fruition, said Jill Faver, director of capacity building initiatives at ASU's non-profit center.

"The mission of Public Allies is to utilize the passion and energy of young people to really transform their communities," she said.

Reach the reporter at susie.steckner@arizonarepublic .com or (602) 444-7972.