(385) 420-4991 | thesammycenter@gmail.com

(385) 420-4991 | thesammycenter@gmail.com

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    • Home
    • Our Team
    • Get Involved
      • Opportunities
      • Interns
      • Testimonials
      • Events
    • Get Connected
    • Gallery
    • Articles
    • Donate
    • Theory of Change
  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Get Involved
    • Opportunities
    • Interns
    • Testimonials
    • Events
  • Get Connected
  • Gallery
  • Articles
  • Donate
  • Theory of Change
The Sammy Center

our interns

Stella Yost

BRADLEY SMITH

BRADLEY SMITH

Stella is from Orange County California and is currently a sophomore at the University of Utah.   She is studying  psychology and special education for preschool and early intervention.  Back home, she has been volunteering for over four years as a kindergarten Sunday school teacher at her church.  After she graduates from the U, she plan

Stella is from Orange County California and is currently a sophomore at the University of Utah.   She is studying  psychology and special education for preschool and early intervention.  Back home, she has been volunteering for over four years as a kindergarten Sunday school teacher at her church.  After she graduates from the U, she plans to put all her amazing new gained skills and experience on working at a preschool back home in California. 

BRADLEY SMITH

BRADLEY SMITH

BRADLEY SMITH

Bradley is an undergraduate student at the University of Utah. Currently on the path to attending medical school, he envisions a future where he can contribute significantly to the well-being of children. He is passionate about research and research collection and enjoys contributing to the Sammy Center.

lorena amenero

BRADLEY SMITH

william jackson

Lorena, a double major in psychology and biochemistry at the University of Utah, is on a mission to get into med school, fueled by a passion for learning and a love for helping others. When she is not buried in textbooks, you’ll find her diving into a good book, jamming to music, playing sports, or experimenting with new recipes in the ki

Lorena, a double major in psychology and biochemistry at the University of Utah, is on a mission to get into med school, fueled by a passion for learning and a love for helping others. When she is not buried in textbooks, you’ll find her diving into a good book, jamming to music, playing sports, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. She believe in learning with curiosity, working with purpose, and living with balance.

william jackson

alma yanez-belman

william jackson

William is a Computer Science student at the University of Utah.  He joined The Sammy Center simply with a desire to give back during his downtime. His warm presence, genuine care, and playful energy have made him a fast favorite among the children. Though he’ll be heading to New York this summer for an internship in his field, we’re so g

William is a Computer Science student at the University of Utah.  He joined The Sammy Center simply with a desire to give back during his downtime. His warm presence, genuine care, and playful energy have made him a fast favorite among the children. Though he’ll be heading to New York this summer for an internship in his field, we’re so grateful for the time he’s chosen to spend with us. The kids absolutely adore him, and his impact here will be felt long after he leaves.

joselyn flores

alma yanez-belman

alma yanez-belman

Joselyn is a freshman at the University of Utah, majoring in Political Science and Criminology with

a minor in Psychology. She began her journey at The Sammy Center as an intern, eagerly embracing the

opportunity to understand how the development of children’s behaviors can profoundly shape their

futures. Joselyn is excited to bring change t

Joselyn is a freshman at the University of Utah, majoring in Political Science and Criminology with

a minor in Psychology. She began her journey at The Sammy Center as an intern, eagerly embracing the

opportunity to understand how the development of children’s behaviors can profoundly shape their

futures. Joselyn is excited to bring change to The Sammy Center and create lasting transformations in

understanding children’s development.

alma yanez-belman

alma yanez-belman

alma yanez-belman

Alma is currently a sophomore at the University of Utah, majoring in Educational Psychology. She joined this internship to deepen my understanding of child development and learn how she can assist them in their growth; to help them succeed in various domains of their life. But, also to improve her skills while assisting children; learning how to make them feel understood, respected, and supported.

kira rigby

kira rigby

kira rigby

reina

kira rigby

kira rigby

alumni interns

zoe wu

haley peterson

adalena magann

Zoe is currently pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Human Development and

Family Relations at the University of Utah. Zoe's research interests include parent-child

interactions, teacher-child relationships, emotional dysregulation, and

psychophysiology. She is looking forward to gaining experience with children and

increasing her kn

Zoe is currently pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Human Development and

Family Relations at the University of Utah. Zoe's research interests include parent-child

interactions, teacher-child relationships, emotional dysregulation, and

psychophysiology. She is looking forward to gaining experience with children and

increasing her knowledge of child psychology. After graduation, Zoe would like to

pursue a graduate program in Developmental Psychology to pursue her research

interest in emotional dysregulation in infants and children.

adalena magann

haley peterson

adalena magann

Adalena is  currently a student at the University of Utah, majoring in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Child Health Care and a minor in Health. She plans on becoming a Child Life Specialist or a pediatric nurse. She love to travel and be outside! 

alyna duong

haley peterson

haley peterson

 Alyna is currently a junior at the University of Utah, majoring in Family Community, and Human Development. Alyna previously volunteered at Daycares and schools here and there or handled baby-sitting of family members. After obtaining a bachelors Alyna plans to continue schooling in either speech therapy, or mental health counselling. Th

 Alyna is currently a junior at the University of Utah, majoring in Family Community, and Human Development. Alyna previously volunteered at Daycares and schools here and there or handled baby-sitting of family members. After obtaining a bachelors Alyna plans to continue schooling in either speech therapy, or mental health counselling. The main goal of interning at the Sammy center is seeing if Alyna wants to work with children in these fields in the near future. Her hobbies include dancing, painting, reading, and watching k-dramas. 

haley peterson

haley peterson

haley peterson

Haley is currently a senior at the University of Utah, double majoring in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. She is working towards an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health certificate and is currently working as an RBT for an ABA company with a wide variety of ages. Her goal is to become a psychologist/play therapist

Haley is currently a senior at the University of Utah, double majoring in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. She is working towards an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health certificate and is currently working as an RBT for an ABA company with a wide variety of ages. Her goal is to become a psychologist/play therapist. She hopes to continue to be an advocate and work with children! 

alumni interns

bella hernandez

bella hernandez

bella hernandez

 

Bella is going into her senior year at the University of Utah, double majoring in Psychology and Criminology. She hopes to pursue a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in sports psychology after graduating next year. Bella loves to experience the uniqueness of each child, as well as their continuous growth. She

 

Bella is going into her senior year at the University of Utah, double majoring in Psychology and Criminology. She hopes to pursue a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in sports psychology after graduating next year. Bella loves to experience the uniqueness of each child, as well as their continuous growth. She has worked with kids through her soccer club back home, and is excited to continue learning more about childhood development. 

Payton Hudspeth

bella hernandez

bella hernandez

Payton Hudspeth is currently a junior at the University of Utah. She majors in psychology with a minor in human development and family studies. She has worked with kids for the last 6 years, whether it was coaching volleyball camps or babysitting, and she absolutely loves it! 

haley epperson

bella hernandez

Lauren Sayre

 

Haley came to Utah from Illinois to study biology at the University of Utah. She hopes to go to medical school to become a pediatrician. Previously she worked with kids at a summer camp for two summers and volunteered in an after school running program for low income elementary school students. She loves to run, ski, hike, and play socce

 

Haley came to Utah from Illinois to study biology at the University of Utah. She hopes to go to medical school to become a pediatrician. Previously she worked with kids at a summer camp for two summers and volunteered in an after school running program for low income elementary school students. She loves to run, ski, hike, and play soccer. She has two dogs and a sweet and hilarious two year old nephew back home 

Lauren Sayre

Martina ortiz

Lauren Sayre

Lauren is a Senior studying Human Development and Family Studies with a Minor in Health and Emphasis in Child Life! I volunteer at UKids East Village as well as Primary Childrens Hospital. She is on the Beach Volleyball team at the U and love incorporating sports, teamwork, creativity and fun into working with kids! She is grateful for th

Lauren is a Senior studying Human Development and Family Studies with a Minor in Health and Emphasis in Child Life! I volunteer at UKids East Village as well as Primary Childrens Hospital. She is on the Beach Volleyball team at the U and love incorporating sports, teamwork, creativity and fun into working with kids! She is grateful for the opportunity to work with children on their social-emotional well-being during my time at the Sammy Center! She loves crafting, dogs, and sunshine! 

Martina ortiz

Martina ortiz

Martina ortiz

 

Martina is a student from Olympus High, her favorite classes are psychology and early childhood where she learned about this program, she volunteers at The Sammy center because she loves the kids and learning more every day, she also wants to study child psychology in college and this is a great opportunity to learn more from the nicest teachers.

alumni interns

Jace Mitchell

Jace Mitchell

Jace Mitchell

Jace began working with children as a registered behavior technician (RBT) in 2018, where he found fulfillment and joy in helping to improve the lives of children and their families. 

Currently, he is a psychology major at the University of Utah, and is also pursuing a minor in family and consumer studies, as well as a certificate in infan

Jace began working with children as a registered behavior technician (RBT) in 2018, where he found fulfillment and joy in helping to improve the lives of children and their families. 

Currently, he is a psychology major at the University of Utah, and is also pursuing a minor in family and consumer studies, as well as a certificate in infant and early childhood mental health. 

He is grateful and honored for the opportunity to intern at the Sammy Center, where he is surrounded by a warm and happy environment, compassionate and brilliant teachers, and wonderful and bright children. 

Maryan Shire

Jace Mitchell

Jace Mitchell

Maryan is a refuge from Kenya.  She is a senior at the University of Utah majoring in Family consumer Studies.  In the future she would hope to become a teacher.  She is a great asset to The Sammy Center.  In addition to her love of working with the children she likes to help keep the school clean and organized. 

Alex Collopy

Jace Mitchell

Ella McDonald

Alex Collopy, Ph.D., IMHE ® is a psychoanalytic inclusive educator, and President of the Utah Association for Infant Mental Health. Guided by an ethical commitment to “repair the world”, she believes that all classrooms should be therapeutic environments in which every child feels seen and loved as their full and beautifully dynamic selve

Alex Collopy, Ph.D., IMHE ® is a psychoanalytic inclusive educator, and President of the Utah Association for Infant Mental Health. Guided by an ethical commitment to “repair the world”, she believes that all classrooms should be therapeutic environments in which every child feels seen and loved as their full and beautifully dynamic selves. After doing research and teaching for 8 years at Penn State and Weber State, Alex felt compelled to return to direct work with children. Here at The Sammy Center, she is similarly energized by the opportunity to join teachers and interns as a partner in their reflective practice. Alex previously worked in psychoanalytic, Reggio- Emilia- informed, Montessori, campus- based, and church- based preschools. She treasures opportunities to engage with children using open- ended materials, storytelling, and tools from her yoga teacher training. 

Ella McDonald

Alia Jordan Manuel

Ella McDonald

Ella is a student at the University of Utah studying Psychology. Previously, she has worked with infants, toddlers, and teenagers through various babysitting jobs, as well as day cares. She is so grateful to have an opportunity to work at the Sammy Center because the skills taught at the center are so powerful and the bonds made are so im

Ella is a student at the University of Utah studying Psychology. Previously, she has worked with infants, toddlers, and teenagers through various babysitting jobs, as well as day cares. She is so grateful to have an opportunity to work at the Sammy Center because the skills taught at the center are so powerful and the bonds made are so important for both the children and interns/teachers. Ella loves working with children and can’t wait to make children feel important and loved. 

Alissa Livingston

Alia Jordan Manuel

Alia Jordan Manuel

Alissa is a student at the University of Utah graduating with a degree in psychology, minor in human development and family studies with a certificate in positive psychology. She is currently working towards becoming a registered behavior technician within the community. 

She began working at the Sammy Center August of 2023 as an intern an

Alissa is a student at the University of Utah graduating with a degree in psychology, minor in human development and family studies with a certificate in positive psychology. She is currently working towards becoming a registered behavior technician within the community. 

She began working at the Sammy Center August of 2023 as an intern and decided to continue after falling in love with the program and all that it has to offer.

“The Sammy center has taught me that each child is unique in many special ways and deserves attentive and tender care to foster their healthy journey through life.”

Alia Jordan Manuel

Alia Jordan Manuel

Alia Jordan Manuel

Alia is a student from the University of Utah studying Psychology & Family, Community, and Human Development. She is working to earn a certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health. She has worked with infants, teenagers, and every age in between 

 and loves forming unique bonds with every child in her care. Alia has always had a d

Alia is a student from the University of Utah studying Psychology & Family, Community, and Human Development. She is working to earn a certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health. She has worked with infants, teenagers, and every age in between 

 and loves forming unique bonds with every child in her care. Alia has always had a deep passion for making children feel important by meeting them “where they are,” and giving them the tools they need in order to succeed on their own journeys.

Caroline Hill

Karina Illingworth

jasmine crespo

Caroline Hill loves the Sammy Center! She was the Co-Director of the Skyline High School Community of Caring Board, which is how she learned about this awesome program. She just finished my first year at BYU studying Exercise Science. She is so grateful to be able to spend time with these awesome kid and amazing teachers.  

jasmine crespo

Karina Illingworth

jasmine crespo

Karina Illingworth

Karina Illingworth

Karina Illingworth

Karina Illingworth is currently in her third year at the University of Utah majoring in Psychology and Human development with a certificate in Infant & Early Childhood mental health. Her love for child care began when she was 8 and her baby sister was born. She believes high quality child care can make the biggest difference on a child's life, and hopes to make an impact at The Sammy Center.  

Yasmin

elizabeth ghyka

Karina Illingworth

Yasmin is a student from Brazil. She is a psychology student from the University of Utah, and is doing an amazing internship at the Sammy Center. She loves to be around kids and play with them, and thinks that it is fascinating how kids' minds works and change over time. 

Kaci

elizabeth ghyka

elizabeth ghyka

Kaci is currently a Senior at the University of Utah studying Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Following her time at school, she plans to continue her education in Clinical Psychology. She believes that contributing to a supportive and understanding environment allows young individuals to navigate challenge

Kaci is currently a Senior at the University of Utah studying Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Following her time at school, she plans to continue her education in Clinical Psychology. She believes that contributing to a supportive and understanding environment allows young individuals to navigate challenges, maneuver behaviors, and label feelings in a positive manner.

elizabeth ghyka

elizabeth ghyka

elizabeth ghyka

Elizabeth will be graduating from the University of Utah with a major in human development, a minor is psychology, and a certificate in infant and early childhood mental health. She has been working with kids for several years now, both in school and in after school settings. Once she graduates she will spend a year applying to graduate p

Elizabeth will be graduating from the University of Utah with a major in human development, a minor is psychology, and a certificate in infant and early childhood mental health. She has been working with kids for several years now, both in school and in after school settings. Once she graduates she will spend a year applying to graduate programs, and hopes to become a child psychologist in the future.

INTEREST FORM

If you are interested in interning with the sammy center, complete the application below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVpmYW8hKfQCZo-7L36SNOm2sfqw8z5NgNakqh9i_HK9ASEQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

The Sammy Center

1515 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Call or Text: (385) 420-4991 | thesammycenter@gmai

Copyright © 2023, The Sammy Center. All Rights Reserved.

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