Dynamy
| Non-Profit | |
| Industry | Education |
| Founded | 1969 |
Area served | Worcester, Massachusetts |
Key people |
Thomas Dube, President Fred Kaelin, Executive Director |
| Products | Experiential learning |
| Website | www.dynamy.org |
Dynamy, Inc. is a "residential internship program" in the United States.[1] It was founded in 1969 as an experiential educational organization based in Worcester, Massachusetts.[2]
Programs
Dynamy strives to challenge, support, and empower young adults from 17-22 to find their mission in life during a Gap year. The group provides programs of internship and mentoring that help participants gain confidence, leadership skills and a sense of responsibility to their fellow man. Dynamy tried to start a branch in Santa Rosa, California in 2005-2006,[3] but it never opened.
Dynamy Internship Year
A nine-month residential commitment that includes the following elements:[4]
- An 18-day[3] wilderness experience conducted by Outward Bound where each person learns to adapt to a new environment, makes friends and gains self-confidence.
- (3) 9-week unpaid internships chosen from 200 possibilities in business, government, social service, charitable organizations, etc.
| Dynamy Internships[5] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Group | Company | |
| Arts & Culture | ARTSWorcester | |
| American Antiquarian Society | ||
| Fitchburg Art Museum | ||
| Higgins Armory Museum | ||
| Martino Stained Glass | ||
| Mechanics Hall | ||
| Old Sturbridge Village | ||
| Palladium Nightclub Concerts | ||
| Worcester Art Museum | ||
| Center for Crafts | ||
| Foothills Theater | ||
| Historical Museum | ||
| Music Festival | ||
| Women's History Project | ||
| Animal Care | Animal Rescue Leagues | |
| EcoTarium Museum | ||
| Eye of the Storm | ||
| Heifer Project | ||
| NEADS | ||
| Starwood Kennel | ||
| Animal Hospitals | ||
| Business/Finance | ||
| Food Co-op | ||
| Automotive Career Development Center | ||
| Bicycle Shops | ||
| Hotels | ||
| Car Dealerships | ||
| Financial Service Companies | ||
| Art Supply Company | ||
| Printing Companies | ||
| Building Contractors | ||
| Skateboard & Snowboard Shop | ||
| Real Estate Companies | ||
| Bicycle Manufacturing | ||
| Women's Clothing | ||
| Music Store | ||
| Classic & Antique Car Restoration | ||
| Funeral Home | ||
| Motorcycle Dealership | ||
| Shopping Mall Property Management | ||
| Stock Brokers | ||
| Greenhouse Operations | ||
| Ski Shop | ||
| Facilities Maintenance | ||
| Outdoor Sports Companies | ||
| Tobacco Shop | ||
| Clothing Boutiques | ||
| Metal Fabrication | ||
| Communications/Media | Radio Reading Service | |
| FM Radio Stations | ||
| AM Radio Stations | ||
| Art Images Company | ||
| Videography Company | ||
| Public TV Station | ||
| Commercial Television Stations | ||
| Community Access TV Station | ||
| Television Production Studio | ||
| Business Journal reporting | ||
| Magazine Photojournalism | ||
| Magazine Production | ||
| Lifestyle Magazine | ||
| Culture/Entertainment Magazine | ||
| Newspaper Publishing | ||
| Craftsmanship/Design/Photography | ||
| Glass Blowing Shop | ||
| Woodworking Shop | ||
| Stained Glass Studio | ||
| Halloween Costume & Prop Company | ||
| Architects | ||
| Photo processing Company | ||
| Photography Studio | ||
| Saori Weaving | ||
| Center for Crafts | ||
| Culinary/Hospitality | ||
| Restaurants | ||
| Bars | ||
| Upscale Dining | ||
| Catering | ||
| Nightclubs | ||
| Education | ||
| Institutional Advancement | ||
| Magnet Schools | ||
| Elementary Schools | ||
| Junior High Schools | ||
| Early Child Development. | ||
| Charter Schools | ||
| Community Schools | ||
| WPI Interdisciplinary & Global Studies | ||
| Day Care Centers | ||
| Special Education | ||
| Environment | ||
| Wildlife Sanctuaries | ||
| Nature Sanctuary | ||
| Division of Fisheries/Wildlife | ||
| Gardner Heritage State Park | ||
| Organic Farm | ||
| New England Wildflower Society | ||
| Forestry Management | ||
| Regional Environmental Council | ||
| Botanical Gardens | ||
| Government/Civic/Law | ||
| Law firms | ||
| Chamber of Commerce | ||
| City Parks Department | ||
| Civil Liberties Union | ||
| Congressman’s Office | ||
| Mayor's Office | ||
| District Attorney’s Office | ||
| Filtration Plant | ||
| Fire Department | ||
| Police Department | ||
| Public Library | ||
| Health Care | ||
| Acupuncture | ||
| American Red Cross | ||
| Holistic Center | ||
| Yoga Institute | ||
| Health Awareness Services | ||
| Herbal Answers | ||
| Jewish Healthcare Center | ||
| Midwife Services | ||
| Ambulance Service | ||
| Family Health Center | ||
| Hospital | ||
| Assisted Living Facility | ||
| Emergency Medical Services | ||
| Wellness Center | ||
| Physical Therapy Services | ||
| Human & Social Services | ||
| AIDS Project Worcester | ||
| Abby's House | ||
| Age Center of Worcester Area | ||
| American Red Cross | ||
| Burncoat Family Services | ||
| Burncoat High Teen Care | ||
| Callan House | ||
| Catholic Charities | ||
| Catholic Worker House | ||
| Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance | ||
| Daybreak, Inc. | ||
| Ecumenical Council | ||
| Friendly House After School | ||
| Friendly House Shelter | ||
| Girls, Inc. | ||
| Greater Worcester Community Foundation | ||
| Green Island Neighborhood Center | ||
| Henry Lee Willis Center | ||
| Legal Assistance Corp. | ||
| Matson Community Services | ||
| Oak Hill C.D.C. | ||
| Peace Abbey | ||
| Planned Parenthood | ||
| Quinsigamond Village Community Center | ||
| Rainbow Child Center After-School | ||
| Rape Crisis Center | ||
| Saint Frances Home | ||
| South Worcester Neighborhood Center | ||
| United Cerebral Palsy | ||
| United Way | ||
| W.A.A.R.C. | ||
| Worcester Common Ground | ||
| Worcester Community Action Council | ||
| Worcester Juvenile Court | ||
| Worcester Youth Center | ||
| Y.O.U. Inc. | ||
| Youville House | ||
| Technology | ||
| TRIZ Studies | ||
| PC Networking | ||
| Oral Drug and Vaccine Delivery Company | ||
| Multimedia Company | ||
| Water Utility Company | ||
| Computer Programming & Support | ||
| Sports & Recreation | ||
| Martial Arts Companies | ||
| Jewish Community Center | ||
| YMCA | ||
| Boy’s & Girl’s Clubs | ||
- Independent living (with other interns) where each person learns the normal routines and responsibilities of adulthood in Dynamy-owned apartments.
- Service to the community is an important part of life; interns work with Dynamy staff to organize and execute projects that make a difference.
- The Seminar option permits interns to earn 12 hours of college credit at Clark University by participating in reading, writing and weekly discussions.
- Advisors and individual interns meet frequently for one-on-one discussions about decisions, successes, goals, experiences and problems. Weekly meetings with the entire intern group are also held.
Most participants have graduated from high school, but college freshmen and sophomores can benefit. More than 85% of the individuals who complete the Internship continue their education, with many seeking an advanced degree.[6]
Dynamy Youth Academy
The program, founded in 1989, is limited to 60 low income students (15 incoming freshmen each year) from the Worcester public schools. The individuals selected typically have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Immigrants, socially isolated, low income
- Non-English speaking homes or multi-lingual
- First generation college potential
- Parents did not graduate from high school[7]
Those chosen will participate in a four-year after school leadership and enrichment course of action designed to provide support and motivation to finish high school and continue their education. Activities include most of those included in the Dynamy internship. Full scholarships to the Colleges of Worcester Consortium are available to academy graduates. The academy was formerly the John S. Laws Institute.[8]
Funding
Dynamy relies on financial support from private individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations. Beginning in 2006, the academy program in Worcester was partially funded by the United Way of Central Massachusetts. Alumni, parents and friends are especially important, both for monetary gifts and to share the Dynamy vision with others.
References
- ↑ Hopewell, Brian: College Gap Year website, Dynamy
- ↑ Berger, Sandra L.: The Ultimate Guide to Summer Opportunities for Teens, page 29
- 1 2 Dynamy Annual Report 2006, President’s message
- ↑ Dynamy website: Internship Year, The Program
- ↑ Dynamy website, Program, Internship Categories/Organizations/Descriptions
- ↑ Idealist.org, December 23, 2008-Dynamy, Inc.
- ↑ Dynamy website, Youth Acacemy, Background
- ↑ Dynamy website, Youth Academy, Program Model