Opportunities for Youth Ages 14-24

Eligible ages: 14-17. The SF Recreation and Park Department is recruiting teens for its Youth Employment Program, a paid opportunity for San Francisco youth to gain hands-on job experience and build professional skills. Participants support programs such as after-school activities, summer camps, gardening, and aquatics, while also taking part in workshops focused on resume building, interview preparation, and career readiness. Interested teens must live in or attend school in San Francisco and be able to commit to all required shifts and workshops. Interest forms will be accepted until the end of January 2026.

Eligble ages: 15 and up. Manny's Writing Club invites participants to explore San Francisco's Mission District through writing and using their senses. Each session starts inside Manny’s (3092 16th Street) with simple exercises to build trust and creativity. Then everyone goes outside to notice the colors, sounds, and people in the neighborhood before coming back to Manny’s to share and write about what they saw and felt. The Club is open to all levels of writing experience. There is a small fee to participate, but if someone cannot pay, they can reach out to the organizer for financial support. In 2026, the Club will meet on January 17, March 21, May 16, July 18, September 19, and November 21.

Eligible grades: 9-12. The Cow Palace is hosting a creative competition to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a focus on “speaking out” and encouraging youth to share their voice respectfully and effectively. The contest celebrates and builds on Dr. King’s historic Cow Palace appearance. Entries should be respectful to all cultures, races, religions, and orientations, and be uplifting and inspiring. Students will submit work to the Cow Palace where it will be displayed in an exhibit and reception open to the public on Wednesday, February 11th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Contest submissions are due by January 23, 2026.

Eligible ages: 14-19. Registration is open for Youth Art Exchange’s (YAX) free after-school art classes for San Francisco public high school students. Students can take hands-on classes in animation, architecture, music production, mural arts, fashion design, darkroom photography and more at YAX studios located at 1950 Mission St and 2330 San Jose Ave. Orientation is on February 4, 2026 and the first day of classes is February 9, 2026. No experience is required. Registration must be completed by the last week of January 2026.

Eligible ages: 0 to 24. The District 10 Summer Resource Fair is a free event that connects children, youth, and families who live in Bayview, Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, Dogpatch, and other southeast San Francisco neighborhoods with free and low-cost summer programs, summer jobs for youth, and other services and resources. The District 10 Summer Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 11am to 2pm at the Southeast Community Center, 1550 Evans Avenue in San Francisco.

Eligible ages: All. The SAT Exam will be administered at Lowell High School in San Francisco on the following dates: March 14, 2026, May 2, 2026, and June 6, 2026.

Eligible ages: 14–21. In 2026, GIRLFLY will bring 20 young women and gender-nonconforming youth together for a four-week Summer Arts & Activism Project. Students will explore the idea of freedom and what it means to use their voices through dance, movement, and music. With guidance from professional teaching artists, participants will create aerial and site-specific dances, learn body percussion and vocal skills, build community, and perform original work for the public. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with two required performances at the end, and participants will earn a $550 stipend for completing the program. Applications are due by May 15, 2026.

Paid summer internships in City departments for high school students

Get zero-cost services from our job centers designed for youth and young adults who are between the ages 16 to 24.

Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school. For most California financial aid programs, your application must be submitted no later than March 2, 2026.

Eligible ages: 17-24. New Door Ventures helps young people in San Francisco get on the path to good jobs and financial stability. In their six-month program, 15–20 youth join as a group of interns. They learn job skills, work together, and support each other during their internships. Applications are accepted all year.

Eligiblity: students pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree. NPR is inviting college students around the country to create a podcast — about anything you want! — and compete for a chance to win a $5,000 cash prize and have your work featured on NPR. Submissions are due by January 16, 2026.

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. The Scatter Light program focuses on storytelling through photomaking and supports artists in creating work that shares their own stories and the stories of their communities. Photography must be an important part of the work, but artists can also use other forms like mixed media, installation, or sculpture. At the end of the program, participants will share their final projects in a public exhibition, giving them a chance to show their creativity to a wider audience. The program runs from February to September 2026, and meets once a month with guest artists, mentors, workshops, studio time, and public presentations. Applications are due by January 18, 2026.

Eligible ages: 18 and up. Learn about Healthright 360's paid training and apprenticeship program for community health workers at an Employer Spotlight event on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1449 Webster Street in San Francisco. Healthright 360 is now accepting applications for the apprenticeship program, which will start in April 2026. This program is good for anyone with an interest in purpose-driven careers, is 18 or over, and has a high school diploma or equivalent.

Eligible ages: 18-24. Dev/Mission's Pre-Apprenticeshipprogram helps young adults by giving them computers, teaching them how to code, and showing them important skills they need for tech jobs. It connects young people from underserved communities with apprenticeships, internships, and other job opportunities. Each person also gets a tech mentor for six months who gives advice and helps them learn how to succeed in the tech world. All classes take place in-person from February 9 to May 1, 2026. There is no fee to participate in the program. Applications are due by the end of January 2026.

Eligible ages: 18-26. Join Mission Bit for a two-week program that helps you learn important skills for jobs in technology. You will learn what it’s like to work in tech and hear from people who already work in the field. They will share their stories and give advice about their careers. Through hands-on activities and group talks, you will build skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and meeting new people, which can help you succeed in technology jobs. The program will take place online from March 9 to March 19, 2026, and students who complete the program will receive $100. Applications are due by February 13, 2026.

Eligible grades: college undergraduates. Breakthrough Summerbridge is looking for college students who want to make a difference this summer. Teaching Fellows lead classrooms, get hands-on training, and work with coaches and staff for support. Our Fellows come from many backgrounds and bring unique life stories. Most are people of color, and many are the first in their families to go to college. At Breakthrough, you’ll help build a fun and caring community with field trips, talent shows, and special traditions while learning skills that will help you in any career. Applications are due by February 26, 2026.

Eligible ages: 18-24. Are you in school, working, or somewhere in between? You may be eligible for cash, food, and health care benefit programs to make ends meet. Applications for benefits programs are always open.

If you graduated from a San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) or SFUSD affiliated charter school in the Class of 2025, 2024, or 2023, then you have at least $50 in your K2C account, plus any contributions or incentives to continue your education after high school! There is no deadline to claim your money.

Get trained and qualified for a DMV Class B Permit to begin a career in transportation with the CityDrive program. Services are offered at no cost, including free access to services and job referrals.

OEWD's Hospitality Initiative prepares you for a career in hospitality at no cost. Open to both beginners and experienced hospitality workers.

CityBuild provides industry-recognized training for construction and construction administration to San Francisco residents.

OEWD's TechSF program prepares you for a career in technology by offering training programs at no cost to participants.

We work to strengthen the economic security and mobility of all San Franciscans.