Dynamy
Encyclopedia
Dynamy, Inc. is the oldest student residential internship program in the United States. It was founded in 1969 as an experiential educational organization based in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....

.

Programs

Dynamy strives to challenge, support, and empower young adults from 17-22 to find their mission in life during a Gap year
Gap year
An expression or phrase that is associated with taking time out to travel in between life stages. It is also known as sabbatical, time off and time out that refers to a period of time in which students disengage from curricular education and undertake non curricular activities, such as travel or...

. 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
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...

 in 2005-2006, but it never opened.

Dynamy Internship Year

A nine-month residential commitment that includes the following elements:
  • An 18-day wilderness experience conducted by Outward Bound
    Outward Bound
    Outward Bound is an international, non-profit, independent, outdoor educationorganization with approximately 40 schools around the world and 200,000 participants per year...

     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.


  • 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
    Clark University
    Clark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...

     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.

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


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
Colleges of Worcester Consortium
The Colleges of Worcester Consortium is a non-profit association of 12 colleges and universities located in central Massachusetts. The Consortium claims "works cooperatively both to further the missions of the member institutions individually and to advance higher education regionally." It...

are available to academy graduates. The academy was formerly the John S. Laws Institute.

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.
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