TIPS is dedicated to producing future leaders committed to their communities by connecting teens with life changing opportunities and internships at non-profit organizations. At the age of 16, Tia volunteered tutoring homeless children. She also held summer jobs that were typical for her age group. Tia found that full-time summer employment kept her from doing the volunteer work she found most ful
filling. Tia’s dilemma, paycheck or volunteerism, caught Maureen’s attention. Recognizing the shortage of employment opportunities in Seattle that engaged young leaders in the non-profit sector, Tia and Maureen saw an immediate need for an organization that could offer young people an opportunity to have a meaningful summer work experience. TIPS provides teens with the opportunity to work in a service-oriented field and compensates them for what typically would be unpaid volunteer work, while at the same time provides non-profits with bright and energetic high school students to fill their work force gaps.
