Igniting Potential in Underserved Youth

Kevin had always been the quiet kid in class, slouching in the back row avoiding the teacher’s gaze. Today, as a sophomore at UC Berkeley, he’s an outgoing, confident young man who credits a nonprofit called Youth Champions for his transformation. Youth Champions first reached Kevin when he was a shy high schooler and it helped him find his voice.

Youth Champions offers a 24-week paid personal development internship for Los Angeles high schoolers. Each week, students participate in workshops on everything from leadership to financial literacy, guided by professional volunteer facilitators from all walks of life – including lawyers and entrepreneurs. These mentors share their personal stories and encourage discussion – there’s even a class on how to be curious and ask better questions. The program isn’t confined to a screen; students also come together for six in-person field trips – from college campus tours to a high-ropes course – that expand their horizons beyond the virtual classroom.

Danna, a first-generation student from South L.A., entered Youth Champions as an over-scheduled senior overwhelmed by her AP classes and family obligations. A single workshop on time management proved a turning point: she covered her bedroom wall in Post-it notes – a simple but transformative system that gave her “a sense of peace” and room to breathe. With her stress under control, a more relaxed Danna headed to Stanford University this fall as the first in her family to attend college.

Stories like Kevin’s and Danna’s are increasingly common. The organization has been expanding by roughly 50% annually to meet overwhelming demand, with new openings filling up within days of applications going live. To date, Youth Champions has mentored more than 1,000 students from over 60 high schools and will serve 550 students this 2025-2026 school year. 

Roughly 91% of its participants come from Title I schools, and 80% are the first in their family to go to college. Each student who completes the internship earns a $1,000 stipend funded entirely by donors – an often life-changing sum that can mean textbooks for college or groceries for a family, and for one teen it made the difference in allowing him to stay in school by helping to provide for his family.

Youth Champions rejects a one-size-fits-all notion of success. One graduate might pursue a four-year university, and another a trade apprenticeship. At Youth Champions, their goal is to help each student find their right path. That student-centered approach has created a ripple effect: alumni often return as volunteer mentors to lift up the next cohort, forming a virtuous cycle of mentorship. 

The only limit now is how many more students Youth Champions can reach — and that depends on community support.