Empowering Teens, One Upload at a Time: Lessons From My Internship

Artwork by Chelsea Aguilar, a CSUCI student.

Written by Gracie Marcelo, our CLU intern.

As university students, we are constantly told about the importance of making connections and getting internships. However, as a criminology and criminal justice student, this experience was not only encouraged but required. With my junior year coming to an end, I knew I needed to find an internship quickly. The only problem was that I could not find one that matched my values. Most internships recommended for students in my major were either law enforcement-oriented or in the legal field, neither of which interested me. I wanted to focus on the community and explore how I could help prevent crime or reduce recidivism. I wanted to work with youth and ensure that interventions, whether for substance use, mental health, or mentorship, were accessible. Through my studies, I had seen patterns in criminality, many of which stemmed from a lack of support at critical moments. I wanted to bridge that gap and intern somewhere that was actively working toward that goal.

At Cal Lutheran, there is a program called 4A Cause, an internship program that partners with nonprofit organizations. Students fill out an application and, based on their major and interests, are paired with a nonprofit. I signed up for this program, and shortly after, I was matched with BRITE. Once I researched the organization, I realized it was perfect for me. BRITE focuses on uplifting youth through writing, art, photography, video production, social media campaigns, and leadership. All of this engagement supports a larger purpose: drug and alcohol prevention, mental health awareness, belonging, and any topic youth feel passionate about.

When I asked how I could help, I was directed to the media team. The media team is responsible for creating content for BRITE and other clients using their technical skills. They imagine, film, and edit content to spread awareness about issues, events, and topics that matter. Youth also have the opportunity to create under the team’s guidance. BRITE manages a studio owned by Ventura County Behavioral Health, where they are able to record content.

My experience with the media team was amazing. The members I met were incredibly welcoming and made me feel comfortable in their space. They showed me all the tools they use for content creation and gave me creative freedom to work on a project that mattered to me. I chose to create a project about juvenile incarceration, focusing on the risk factors that can lead to delinquency and the challenges youth face once incarcerated. I recorded a voiceover and selected visuals for the media team to turn into a video for BRITE’s YouTube and social media. I also created matching social media posts and a blog post. Having creative liberty while receiving thoughtful feedback that strengthened my message was an incredible experience.

I was also given the opportunity to create social media posts related to drug and alcohol prevention, mental health awareness, and other youth-centered topics. I had creative freedom here as well, with the ability to check in for feedback. I created posts on suicide prevention, the dangers of counterfeit pills, the effects of marijuana use, and how to resist peer pressure. All of these were uploaded to the BRITE Instagram page. A major part of my internship involved translating social media posts, blog posts, website blurbs, and video campaigns. Since I am bilingual, I was able to support BRITE by making content accessible to Spanish-speaking families. It felt good knowing my translations helped reach a wider audience.

My favorite part of the internship was attending the Reality Party. I wrote a blog post about the experience, but I will summarize here. For teens, the Reality Party is an opportunity to act with the purpose of raising awareness. The main goal, however, is to give adults a realistic look at the risky situations teens may encounter at parties and to encourage meaningful conversations at home about safety, communication, and expectations. Each event includes a debrief where parents reflect on what they saw and explore healthy ways to guide and protect their teens. Some of the topics addressed included overdrinking, peer pressure, misuse of drugs like Xanax, violence, and sexual assault. BRITE secured a parent volunteer to host the event and provided prop beer bottles, liquor bottles, pills, drugs, and party games to recreate a realistic teen party environment. The consequences of allowing these parties were emphasized, and parents were encouraged to reflect on how susceptible their own teens may be to environments like these.

The group transformed the living room, kitchen, upstairs, and backyard into a space that felt like a real party. It was fun meeting new people and creating this environment to act in. As a group, we assigned roles and learned our lines like a real play. We rehearsed, and after each group of parents passed through, we adjusted what we felt worked and what did not. It was inspiring to see how passionate the volunteers were and how everyone grew more comfortable with one another. Even though the topics were serious, we were able to incorporate some comedic elements. Knowing that the greater purpose was to educate parents made my participation feel even more meaningful, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.

Overall, my internship with BRITE has been nothing short of amazing. I learned so much from the people I worked with and gained insight into what it is like to work at a nonprofit. I was able to practice what community prevention looks like within the field of criminal justice and understand the importance of community outreach. Interning at a nonprofit that values everyone’s ideas and uses its resources to guide youth is extraordinary. BRITE believes in the youth they work with and follows through on their mission to engage them through the arts.

Are you interested in getting involved with BRITE? Learn more and sign up here: Engagement Opportunities.