Alzar School was founded upon the belief that young people, all on their own, can spark real change and make a positive impact on the world. Institutional procedures, rules and social perceptions of teens as immature mischief-makers often inhibit youth from stepping into leadership positions. Many young people are left feeling like they require guidance or permission in order to act upon issues. Not so at Alzar School! Instilling the confidence and skills to act is central to Alzar School’s Capstone Leadership Course and Culminating Leadership Projects. There is no better example of a young leader than Ellie Zimmerman, Spring 2019 alumna and founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Interns 4-Good.
Interns 4-Good is an online platform that provides high school students with virtual, skills-based internships at nonprofit organizations. Through the Interns 4-Good website, Ellie and her team connect youth with partner nonprofits offering short term internships that draw upon real life business skills such as Photoshop, web design and film making. The benefits are twofold. Teen volunteers are able to build their resumes, develop professional skills, and complete their service hours and nonprofits gain much needed support and a way to engage witha younger demographic. Ultimately, “Interns 4-Good enables teens to help an organization in need,” explains Ellie.
While designing a Culminating Leadership Project, Alzar School students are asked to center their project idea around a need or cause they are particularly passionate about. “My inspiration for Interns 4-Good came from my first hand experience,” Ellie recounts. As the editor of her highschool yearbook, she has strong graphic design skills and wanted to build upon them.
ALUMNA PROFILE
14
NAME:
Ellie Zimmerman
HOME TOWN:
Purchase, New York
ALZAR SCHOOL PROGRAM:
Semester 14, Spring 2019
INTERNS 4-GOOD
Ellie Zimmerman:
Alumna in Action