Academic and Career Opportunities

Community Resources for Youth

To support your youth’s academic and career pathway, please explore the resources below which are broken out by academic-specific resources and career resources that include an academic element. Know of additional resources not listed below? Please let your Case Supervisor know!

Academic Specific Opportunities

SOAR Program at UC Berkeley for Rising 7th-9th Graders! (can be living in any county)

The SOAR (Support, Opportunities & Rapport) program from UC Berkeley is an amazing summer opportunity for youth in grades 6-8 that can lead to important educational progress, year round community connections and college preparedness.

If you support a young person in these grades, SFCASA strongly encourages you to support them to apply to SOAR!

Once admitted into the program, each SOAR youth receives 5-10 years of sustained support. 93% of SOAR high school seniors graduated on time and 92% of those graduates went on to college, 38% to a 4-year college.

Alameda County

SOAR is a free, week-long sleep-away summer camp at UC Berkeley specifically for middle school-aged foster youth. The program includes math and writing workshops, outdoor activities like kayaking and ropes courses, life skills trainings, and socializing. Once selected, students return each summer for three consecutive years.

Chapter510 and the Department of Make Believe is Oakland's only youth writing center. They provide free in-school tutoring, creative writing workshops, and publishing opportunities for K-12 students in Oakland.

FIVE KEYS schools and programs provide students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, GED or obtain workforce training, while providing necessary support to help them achieve their goals. Five Keys offers 3 schools (Charter, Adult and Independence) and the following programs: Assessment and Educational Placement, Career Technical Education, IPO (Interrupt, Predict and Organize), Keys to Change, Re-Entry Services, Re-Entry Services Northern California, Re-Entry Services Southern California, Restorative Justice. Through school and programs, Five Keys refers to five areas of focus which are:

• Employment - Career and Life Skills and additional courses related to careers in construction, welding, hospitality, sewing, dog grooming and other areas.
• Education - Along with 3 schools which students can complete an Interest Form for, Five Keys offers the Self-Determination Project, which is a Mobile School! For information on bus schedules and locations, click here.
• Recovery - Programs and partnerships who support wellness and recovery from trauma or substance abuse.
• Family - A robust parenting program that addresses our students’ roles in their families, whether they are a parent, child or spouse.
• Community - Five Keys has dozens of partnerships throughout the greater San Francisco and Los Angeles areas who support our students in removing barriers to their education and finding opportunities for success. Five Keys Main Office is located on 320 13th St, Oakland, CA 94612, Phone: (510) 788-4061, Fax: (415) 734-3314, M and Th 11:30-6:30, Tu and W 9-4, F 11:30-4.

Youth UpRising is a leadership development program for youth and young adults ages 13-24 in Alameda County, who are provided comprehensive, fully integrated health, wellness, educational, career, arts and cultural programming. The goal is to support youth and young adults to build relationships, develop new skills and create a plan for their future to become successful and self-sufficient in adulthood. Hours of Operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm-7pm and are located at 8711 MacArthur Boulevard Oakland, CA 94605.

Contra Costa County - West

Richmond (also San Pablo, Hercules, El Sobrante, Crockett, El Cerrito, Pinole, Rodeo, North Richmond).

Richmond After School Programs are programs in which friendships can be created and bonds can be built in a FUN and SAFE program that allow youth to experience arts and crafts, group games, sports and positive adult mentors on a daily basis. The programs also provide field trips, guest speakers and homework help as key components of the program. Scholarships are available for families in need of assistance. To Register or submit an application, one can visit the Registration Office at 3230 Macdonald Ave Richmond, CA or click here for information on locations, hours and specified ages. For more information, call (510) 620-6793.

Hercules Teen Center T.H.E. S.P.O.T. offers The SPOT After School Program (Grades 6th-8th) among other programs and activities in the Hercules Area. This afterschool program is a place to help with homework and socialization with peers in a fun and safe environment. The energetic staff will provide many activities such as arts and crafts, sports and a variety of team building games and events that are catered for 6th-8th graders. Students are asked to check-in after school, outside of Hercules Middle School Multi-Purpose Room where basketball courts are located. After check-in, staff will escort teens to the Hercules Teen Center. The SPOT Afterschool program is Monday-Friday Dismissal-5:30pm, click here for their Registration Packet. Hercules Teen Center is located on 2007 Refugio Valley Rd and for more information, call (510) 799-8289.

San Francisco County

826 Valencia: 826 Valencia provides programs to support the writing skills and academics of children ages 6-18. They have a location in the Mission and in the Bayview, and their programs range from writing workshops to college and career prep support to after school tutoring support.

Imani Center for Education and Wellness; provides free tutoring to youth and adults in reading, math, and computer literacy. The Center will match the learner with a caring volunteer who employs a methodology tailored to fit individual learning needs. Click here to view their flyer and for more information.

Power Scholars Academy at the YMCA is a six-week summer program for 1st through 8th graders designed to address summer learning loss in math and reading and to foster physical and social-emotional growth.

San Joaquin County

City of Lodi Parks and Recreation offers an After School Program (ASP) for kindergarten through sixth-grade students for the following schools: Lakewood Elementary, Larson Elementary, Reese Elementary and Vinewood Elementary. ASP provides a structured fun after school including time for homework, outdoor play, snacks and arts and crafts. ASP is available Monday through Friday (Closed for all Lodi Unified School DIstrict observed holidays and staff in-service days). For hours of operation, Fees and Registration and important information pertaining to the program, click here to visit their website. Contact Parks & Recreation After School Program, Guest Services & Registration Office at: 230 W. Elm St. Lodi, CA 95240, phone number (209) 333-6742 and email rsandoval@lodi.gov for further program information.

San Mateo County

JobTrain: JobTrain’s Youth Programs provides job training to 17-24 year old youth . This program includes basic skills support, academic support (including support to receive a high school diploma or GED and assistance with higher education), career training, paid work experience, and job placement assistance.

San Mateo County Youth Commission: SMCYC is an advisory commission to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and was established to provide youth voice in local government. The Commission consists of 25 members, between the ages of 13-21.

Santa Clara County

The Hub Youth Center is a youth-led and organized community center, dedicated to supporting current and former foster youth ages 15-24, by providing a safe and welcoming center where foster youth can feel a sense of belonging, empowerment, and be offered a variety of services by peers and other caring community members. Services include Independent Living Program Services, access to Computer/ Printer, HubMart (clothes, school supplies, etc), Shower/ Laundry, Health Van, Employment, Education and Legal Advice. The center also holds events such as holiday parties, birthday celebrations, movie nights, game night and more! For information on Special Events and ongoing services, please visit their websitehere. The Hub Youth Center is located on 591 North King Road, Suite 1 San Jose, CA 95133 and can be contacted to (408) 792-1750.

Career and Employment Programs

Alameda County

Alameda County Youth Leadership Academy is a free, educational program that enables high school youth (11-12th graders) to learn about local government while completing a career development and job readiness program alongside their peers.

Youth Employment Partnership: YEP offers job readiness training and education as well as summer employment to at-risk youth and young adults in Oakland. These programs integrate leadership development, comprehensive support services, educational programming, and college enrollment with on-the-job vocational training.

Alameda County Workforce Development Board (ACWB) Operates in conjunction with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I programs in Alameda County (outside the city of Oakland). ACWB aspires to provide employers and job seekers with universal access to tools, resources, and services that assist them in obtaining employment and business goals in the county of Alameda. They offer a plethora of different resources for youth aged 16-24 preparing youth for success in employment. Specifically, they offer three different services: Future Force, Youth Innovation, and Career Pathways Trust.

• Youth and Young Adult Future Force Career Program (Future Force) engages out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24 years old. This program helps these young adults earn their GED, prepare for post-secondary education, and/or find alternative employment or internship opportunities within high-growth industries and occupations within Alameda County. This program works in collaboration with: Berkeley Youth Alternatives (which serves out-of-school residents in Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont); Hayward Adult School (which serves out-of-school residents in Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, and Fairview); and La Familia (which serves out-of-school residents in the Tri-City/Tri-Valley areas of Fremont, Newark, Union City, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, and Sunol).
• Youth Innovation Program serves youth ages 16 to 21 years old who are currently enrolled in high school or college. The program helps youth and young adults prepare for higher education, employment, and/or work-based opportunities, like internships and apprenticeships. Youth and young adults who are interested in this program can reach out to Evan Goldbergvia email to get started with this program.
• Career Pathways Trust Functions to give youth and young adults exposure to the world of work, through hands-on experience learning opportunities in high-growth industries. Contact Nancy Soto at (510) 259-3839 for more information about work-based learning.

Contra Costa County - East

Antioch, Concord (also Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Oakley, Knightsen, Byron, and Discovery Bay)

Workforce Development Board, Contra Costa County (WBDCC): This program located in Concord aims to align a variety of resources for youth ages 16-24 through Business (leaders in business, economic development, labor, on-the-job training and recruitment services), Youth and Jobseeker Services to enhance the competitiveness and economic vitality of the Contra Costa County workforce. Youth Services focuses on youth who are currently enrolled in school and could still benefit from support reaching their goals. WBDCC recommends contacting the Contra Costa County Office of Education, as it offers Youth Development Services for youth in the foster care system who are experiencing barriers in finishing their education. Jobseeker Services connect youth with opportunities for training and employment, provide individualized services and have Priority of Services for greater needs. WDCC is partnered with two youth programs: Earn & Learn East Bay and Contra Costa Youth.

• Earn & Learn East Bay is located in Walnut Creek and connects hundreds of youth ages 16-21 to summer jobs, internships, and other high-quality work-based learning opportunities/experiences (e.g., industry lead summer camps).
• Contra Costa Youth is a project by the Contra Costa Youth Council, a committee a part of WBDCC, who work on behalf of the youth of Contra Costa to fund programs that serve low-income and foster youth. An “All Youth One System” approach is used meaning that all youth services providers listed on their website work together in a cooperative and coordinated way to meet the needs of youth in the community. Youth services providers range from Counseling and Health Services, Education/ Training, Employment/ Career, Family Support and Emergencies.

San Francisco County

Bay Area Video Coalition’s Bridges Fellowship offers a 12 week media production and career readiness training fellowship to young adults (ages 18-24). Bridge Fellows will receive career readiness, communication, and technical skills in video pre-production, production, and post-production. They will also gain work experience through a 35-hour client project and earn a stipend and certificate at the end of the program.

Bay Area Video Coalition’s Next Gen offers a free after school program to provide youth (ages 14-17) with the opportunity to learn game code design, music production, video production, and animation. Youth will attend field trips to industry partner companies and career development workshops (resume writing, job search tools, etc.)

BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) is a paid summer internship program at Community Grows. BEETS interns help maintain urban gardens and develop skills for youth empowerment, healthy eating, food justice literacy, and job readiness.

Bridges from School to Work supports young adults with a documented disability (ages 17-22) find the employers and jobs that best fit their skills and abilities. Bridges also provides 1:1 support to ensure that employees develop the work skills needed to keep jobs and start building a career path.

City Youth Now’s Higher Education and Vocational Expenses Scholarship: City Youth Now accepts applications from foster and juvenile justice-involved youth who intend to enroll in higher education or vocational training programs. Recipients receive $1,000 to $3,000 scholarships to help pay for related expenses. You can find the application, instructions, and eligibility information here.

City Youth Now’s Youth Partnering for Education and Employment: The Youth Partnering for Education and Employment (YPEE) program combines educational and vocational support to prepare San Francisco youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system for employment. Types of support through YPEE include tutoring expenses, interview practice and clothing, resume development, college tours and application support, vocational school workshops, etc. They also provide a paid internship for youth ages 14+.

Contemporary Jewish Museum’s Teen Art Connect Internship: The Teen Art Connect (TAC) internship is a year-long paid internship at The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM) where high schoolers can connect with art, other teens, and Museum professionals in a world-class arts environment. TAC interns come from diverse backgrounds, but are all interested in creating meaningful experiences for the public while developing their professional skills. Applications for fall 2021 are due Friday, March 12 by 5pm.

The Guardian Scholars program is a 6-week summer program designed to prepare SFUSD foster youth students for a smooth transition from high school to college and career. The program provides high school and/or CCSF (City College of San Francisco) credit, an internship working with kids, a stipend of up to $2,000, and college and career resources. Current or former foster youth who are SFUSD rising juniors, seniors or entering college freshmen are eligible to attend. Applications are due in April. Please contact your case supervisor to learn more.

Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) sponsors a High School Internship Program to introduce high school students (grades 10-12) to career opportunities in the field of transportation. Interns may support city and county public works departments or transit agencies.

New Door Ventures: New Door Ventures offers a remote internship and employment program for low-income young adults ages 16-24. Participants will receive provide employment education in the form of Zoom workshops, remote case management, and remote computer-based jobs with New Door Ventures’ business partners. Cohorts are each 14 weeks long, offering up to 12 hours a week employment at $16.50 an hour. The program also hosts weekly employment readiness workshops on Tuesday afternoons from 2-4 PM, running from 03/02/2021-05/18/2021.

Old Skool Café is a youth run-supper club that provides at-risk youth (ages 16-22) the opportunity to run all aspects of the restaurant. Through this program, youth will learn the skills they need not only to run a business, but also to be successful in all aspects of their lives.

Opportunities for All Initiative, led by Mayor London Breed’s office, is a workforce development effort designed to increase the number of opportunities for young people between the ages of 13 and 24 to access meaningful employment, training, and work-based learning opportunities. Participants are set up with paid internships over the summer that allow them to explore careers, connect with resources, and gain social and professional skills.

RAMS’ Youth 2 Youth Peer Certificate Program: RAMS' Youth 2 Youth Peer Certificate Program is a 16-week peer certificate program for youth aged 16-24 that equips participants with basic counseling skills for entry-level employment in the behavioral health field. Twice a week, participants attend workshops and field trips to sites that introduces them to mental health settings that serve TAY, and become exposed to a variety of mental health topics. Upon completion, graduates be placed in paid internships within the San Francisco TAY System of Care. Please check out the flyer here to learn more.

Rising Sun's Climate Careers program is a 7-week paid summer employment and training program that allows youth to directly serve their communities and environment. Climate Careers provides youth (ages 15-22) with the opportunity to build their resume and professional skill-set through work-based learning as Energy Specialists. Please check out their website for more information.

San Francisco Conservation Corps & John Muir Charter School: John Muir Charter School gives young people ages 16 to 25 the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while working with SF Conservation Corps doing exciting and valuable work for the community. View their flyer for more information. If you want to learn about programs outside of San Francisco similar to John Muir, contact SFCASA's Educational Advocacy Coordinator.

San Francisco ILSP: SFILSP provides career development support to 16-21 year old youth in San Francisco foster care, which includes vocational training, apprenticeship opportunities, and job placement support.

San Francisco Youth Jobs+: SF Youth Jobs+ is a city-wide program to help young adults (ages 16-24) find employment. This initiative is a partnership between the City of San Francisco and various businesses and nonprofits. SF Youth Jobs+ offers a Summer Internship Program and partners with organizations like Starbucks, Ghirardelli, Levi's, etc. who hosts hiring events throughout San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.Please check out their website for more information.

San Francisco YouthWorks is a youth employment program that provides paid internship opportunities in various SF city departments for youth in 11-12th grade. This year, SF YouthWorks is prioritizing employment and job training for youth who experience barriers to employment in San Francisco. More information can be found on the flyer in English and Spanish. Applications are due by Friday, September 18, 2020.

WorkAbility: A program of JVS (Jewish Vocational Services), WorkAbility is a year-long paid internship program for SFUSD students in the 11th and 12th grades who have IEPs. Interns get paid $15 an hour and the program runs from June 12th through August 9th. Applications are accepted by applying at the JVS office in April. Please look at the flyer to learn more.

San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County WorkNet (SJCWN) is an equal opportunity program that serves individuals in the San Joaquin community in search of employment. They are partners alongside San Joaquin Delta Community College, Employment Development Department, the San Joaquin County Office of Education, and many other reputable organizations within San Joaquin County. Their employer services include the Economic Development Association (EDA), business financing, business advocacy, business retention, rapid response, and on-the-job training. SJCWN’s job seeker services include CalJobs, Career Tools, unemployment insurance, CareerOneStop, disability benefits, newspaper hiring advertisements, typing certificates, and WorkNet iMail. Finally, there is the WorkStartYES program that offers youth ages 16-24 counseling advice for work and going back to school.

San Mateo County

JobTrain: JobTrain’s Youth Programs provides job training to 17-24 year old youth . This program includes basic skills support, academic support (including support to receive a high school diploma or GED and assistance with higher education), career training, paid work experience, and job placement assistance.

San Mateo County Youth Commission: SMCYC is an advisory commission to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and was established to provide youth voice in local government. The Commission consists of 25 members, between the ages of 13-21.

Santa Clara County

The Hub Youth Center is a youth-led and organized community center, dedicated to supporting current and former foster youth ages 15-24, by providing a safe and welcoming center where foster youth can feel a sense of belonging, empowerment, and be offered a variety of services by peers and other caring community members. Services include Independent Living Program Services, access to Computer/ Printer, HubMart (clothes, school supplies, etc), Shower/ Laundry, Health Van, Employment, Education and Legal Advice. The center also holds events such as holiday parties, birthday celebrations, movie nights, game night and more! For information on Special Events and ongoing services, please visit their website here. The Hub Youth Center is located on 591 North King Road, Suite 1 San Jose, CA 95133 and can be contacted to (408) 792-1750.