“Peer2Peer is like a place for you to understand how work life works,” Brayden said, a recent Sutherlin High School graduate. He said his experience working for Douglas County Parks allowed him to learn job skills that will help him in the future.

The paid summer mentor-mentee internship program provides high school students and recent graduates with hands-on work experience. Created in 2022 by a team from Douglas Education Service District (ESD) and South Umpqua School District, the work-based program pairs trained youth mentors with peers in the Youth Transition Program, which supports students experiencing disabilities as they move from school to work. Pairs work together at local businesses and agencies during the summer, gaining 60 to 100 hours of real-world job experience.

“Peer2Peer matters because people experiencing disabilities often face significant barriers to employment,” said Les Rogers, Youth Transition Network facilitator at Douglas ESD. He has helped coordinate the program for four years.

School districts, businesses and organizations are needed to make the program work. Every student builds workplace skills and confidence; mentors also develop leadership skills. Employers have an opportunity to invest in the future workforce.

“Schools and community, they go hand in hand,” said Brenda Richardson, a Peer2Peer worksite coordinator and instructional assistant at Sutherlin High School. “You know, without our community partners, we wouldn’t have a place for our students to work. They need the chance to get out there and prove to their future employers, their supervisors, their teachers, themselves, their parents, that they can go out there and be successful.”

Before beginning work assignments, each participating student receives training in resume writing, interview skills and self-advocacy during the school year. Beth Hunter, a youth development specialist for Douglas ESD, said Peer2Peer helps students discover their interests. “When kids have special opportunities, many say ‘I never thought that I would have enjoyed this,’” she said.

At Douglas County Parks, Brayden worked alongside his peer Marissa, also from Sutherlin High School. Together, they learned how to operate landscaping tools to maintain public spaces. Seeing the results of their work felt rewarding.

“It feels really nice because you go to a place and you’re like, wow, I feel like I could really clean up this area,” Marissa said. “And then after you do it, it looks so much better... And that makes me feel happy because it just looks cleaner and better.”

Another student, Paytyn, from South Umpqua High School, spent her work assignment at Adams House Assisted Living in Myrtle Creek. “I love it here,” she said. She shared that she learned how to get out of her comfort zone and become more comfortable talking with people she doesn’t know.

Also at Adams House, Stephanie, from South Umpqua School District, painted a resident’s fingernails while working alongside Paytyn. “It’s awesome helping people,” she said. Stephanie has been assigned to work here for the past three years.

The program also gives peer mentors opportunities to develop leadership skills and explore career pathways in education, behavioral health and human services. A combination of mentorship, training and real-world work experience creates an important bridge from school to employment.

For Rogers, one of the most rewarding signs of success is when students no longer need the program. “One of my favorite moments is when a student comes back the following year and says, ‘I don’t need to do Peer2Peer because I already have a job,’” he said.

Employers are an important part of helping students make that transition.

“Employers should get involved with Peer2Peer because it’s an opportunity to help the next generation develop valuable work skills,” Rogers said.

There is no cost for employers to participate. Douglas ESD coordinates the employment process, including onboarding and payroll, allowing employers to focus on welcoming students, teaching them the job and helping them become part of the workplace.

David Tolle, operations supervisor for Douglas County Parks Department, sees the value for both students and employers. “For one, it’s an opportunity for us to maybe build better work pools later in life. If we can have them experience what’s going on now in a nice work environment, I mean, it’s a win-win for everybody,” he said. “It’s a win for the kids to build on something. It’s a win for us.”

Peer2Peer continues to grow through the support of schools, community partners and funding that makes these paid work experiences possible. Douglas ESD supports the program through a leveraged funding model, pairing staff expertise from its Transition Network Facilitator role with funds from the Youth Job and Work Readiness Grant, administered by Youth Development Oregon. By combining these related resources, Douglas ESD is able to make the most of available funding while expanding opportunities for students. As the program expands, Douglas ESD is seeking additional partners and funding to bring the program to more students and communities throughout Douglas County.

The program’s impact is gaining attention beyond Douglas County. After receiving the 2026 Exceptional Program Award at the Oregon Statewide Transition Conference, Douglas ESD began hearing from educators and organizations across Oregon and beyond who were interested in learning more about Peer2Peer.

This past summer’s participating businesses and organizations included Adams House, Myrtle Creek Library, Sunrise Enterprises in Sutherlin and Myrtle Creek, YMCA, Saving Grace and Douglas County Parks. A total of 20 students from South Umpqua School District and Sutherlin School District participated.

For students thinking about participating, the opportunity begins with taking that first step. Brayden offered this advice: “Just come out of your comfort zone and ask to be changed.”

Peer2Peer Team: Brenda Richardson, Matt Parrish, Michelle Kaneakua, Sherene Highland and Cathy Libolt (Sutherlin High School); Leslie Riley, Lori Risner, Beau Shelby and Cody Gray (South Umpqua High School); Beth Hunter and Les Rogers (Douglas ESD).

For more information, visit www.douglasesd.k12.or.us/district-support-services/special-education/regional-transition-network