Opportunities for youth ages 14-24

Eligible ages: 14 to 19. San Francisco's Youth Poet Laureate Cohort invites young poets, writers, and performers to apply for an advanced workshop series led by Youth Speaks, 826 Valencia, and the San Francisco Public Library in partnership with Mayor Daniel Lurie. Participants will strengthen their writing and performance skills, receive mentorship, and have opportunities to publish and perform their work. Two participants will be selected to serve as San Francisco's next Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Youth Poet Laureate. Applications are due by August 28, 2026.

View details about the SF Youth Poet Laureate Cohort

Eligible grades: 9 to 12. The San Francisco Department of Elections is offering the Fall 2026 High School Elections Ambassador Program from Monday, September 14 to Friday, September 25, 2026. This fun, youth-driven program teaches San Francisco high school students how to create outreach plans and successfully conduct pre-registration events in their schools and neighborhoods. At the end of the program, Department staff will host a ceremony at City Hall to celebrate the students’ efforts. Each student receives a certificate of participation signed by the Mayor of San Francisco. Applications are due by August 30, 2026.

View details about the High School Elections Ambassador program

Eligible ages: 13 to 24. The Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), a program of the Urban Services YMCA, provides mini-grants of $500–$2,000 to support youth-led projects that make a positive impact in San Francisco. For the Fall 2026 Mini Grant Cycle, funding is available only for materials and supplies, and projects must not have previously received a YEF grant. Visit the YEF website to learn more and apply. Applications are due by August 31, 2026.

View details about the Youth Empowerment Fund Fall 2026 Mini-Grant

Eligible grades: 9 to 12. The District 3 Youth Council is composed of high schoolers who live, attend school in, or have a strong connection to San Francisco's District 3. Members will work closely with the District 3 Supervisor's Office on legislation, community projects, and the District 3 Youth Budget Forum in spring. Applications are due by Sunday, September 6, 2026.

View details about the District 3 Youth Council

Eligible ages: 10 to 16. Through a series of in-person lessons, and individually designed community building curricula, students will have the opportunity to engage in learning, contextualizing, and practicing creative arts in collaboration with teaching artists Emma and Alex, and peers. Classes will take place on Thursdays from September 3, 2026 to May 27, 2027 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.

View details about the Powerhouse Theater and Creative Movement program

Eligible ages: 13 to 18. The Performing Arts Workshop is launching its first Hip Hop Dance Crew, a new youth leadership program in collaboration with breakdancing and hip hop teaching artist Dionte. Participants will learn the fundamentals of hip hop and breakdancing while preparing to perform for live audiences at community events and dance battles. Classes will be held on Fridays from September 4, 2026, through May 28, 2027, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.

View details about the Powerhouse Hip Hop Dance Crew

Eligible ages: 11 to 18. Intro to Filmmaking is a fun-filled and educational program in which youth learn the basics of narrative film production, including roles on set, workflow, and collaboration. Youth will work in groups to build collaboration and teamwork skills, while exploring their unique creative voice. The program will take place on Mondays and Wedesdays from September 14 to December 9, 2026. Applications are due the week of September 7, 2026.

View details about Intro to Filmmaking

Eligible ages: 14 to 18. Open Lab is a learning opportunity for youth to pursue an original media arts project. Youth will go through the necessary steps to define individual projects from idea to final product with the support of instructors, workshops, whole group and individual check ins, and tools and resources at BAYCAT. Youth who apply must complete a project proposal to be considered. You must have completed at least one program at BAYCAT, at school, or another institution, or have equivalent experience to qualify. The program will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September 15 to December 10, 2026. Applications are due the week of September 7, 2026.

View details about Open Lab

Eligible grades: 8 to 12. 826 Valencia's Youth Leadership Advisory Board gives young people the opportunity to build leadership, writing, editing, and public speaking skills while mentoring younger students and helping shape 826 Valencia's programs. Participants attend weekly meetings, tutor students, take part in workshops and leadership activities throughout the school year, and may earn a stipend of $450 for the Fall Semester and $550 for the Spring Semester for meeting program commitments. Applications are due by September 11, 2026.

View details about 826 Valencia's Youth Leadership Advisory Board

Eligible grades: 9 to 12. The Black Literary Achievement Club is a paid leadership program that helps participants build writing, leadership, public speaking, and mentoring skills while exploring Black art, culture, and history. Participants meet weekly at the San Francisco Main Public Library, tutor elementary school students, receive feedback on their writing, and may earn a stipend of up to $1,000 during the academic year. Applications are due by September 11, 2026.

View details about Black Literary Achievement Club

Eligible grades: 9 and 10 - applicants must be at least 14 years old by October 5, 2026. MYEEP provides paid internships that help young people gain real-world work experience, build workplace skills, and prepare for future careers. Participants receive pre-employment training, academic support, one-on-one mentorship, leadership development, and opportunities to explore colleges and workplaces through field trips and site tours. Along the way, they build lasting connections with peers and their communities while developing the confidence and skills to achieve their future goals. Applications are due by September 14, 2026.

View details about MYEEP

Eligible grades: 11 and 12 - applicants must be between 15 and 19 years old as of October 19, 2026. SF YouthWorks introduces young people to careers in public service through paid internships with San Francisco City departments. Participants receive job readiness training, professional development, mentorship from City employees, and opportunities to explore careers through field trips, college tours, community service, and leadership activities. Along the way, they build the skills, confidence, and experience needed to prepare for college, future careers, and life after high school. Applications are due by September 14, 2026.

View details about SF YouthWorks

Eligible ages: 13 to 18 years old, or in 7th to 12th grade. The District 9 Youth Council partners with District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder's Office, local nonprofits, and community organizations in the Mission District, Bernal Heights, and Portola to advocate for the needs and perspectives of young people. Participants also gain hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in public policy, government, advocacy, and policy analysis. Applications are due by September 14, 2026.

View details about the District 9 Youth Council

Eligible ages: all. BaySpark 2026, hosted by the Marie Harrison Community Foundation in partnership with Leaders4EARTH, Southeast Community Center, InterEthnica, and the Bay Area Air District, is a free Youth Climate and Environmental Justice Summit that brings together young people and community members to learn about climate change and environmental justice in the Bay Area. The summit will feature discussions with environmental experts, interactive workshops, hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect with peers while exploring ways youth can help create a healthier, more sustainable future. BaySpark 2026 will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Southeast Community Center (1550 Evans Avenue) from 10am to 3pm.

View details about BaySpark 2026

Eligible ages: 13 to 24. The YMCA of San Francisco's Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) is a youth-led grant program that awards up to $10,000 to support youth-led projects such as school clubs, small businesses, organizations, and other community initiatives. Youth must submit their own applications, and each project may submit only one application. Projects must have a fiscal sponsor, which may be a nonprofit organization or for-profit business. Grants are provided as reimbursements for approved project expenses after invoices, receipts, and supporting documentation are submitted. Applications are due by September 21, 2026.

View details about the YEF Grant Program

Eligible grades: 9 to 12. Mission Youth in Action is a nine-month leadership development program at the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) that helps young people build leadership, research, writing, storytelling, networking, and community-building skills while completing a Youth Participatory Action Research project focused on an issue affecting themselves, their families, or their communities. The program meets weekly on Wednesdays from 2:45 to 6 p.m. at MEDA (2301 Mission St., Suite 301) and is conducted primarily in English with Spanish language accommodations available. Participants receive a stipend at the end of each school semester. Applications are due by September 21, 2026.

View details about Mission Youth in Action

Eligible ages: 14 to 17. Next Gen is a hands-on media arts program where participants learn video production or animation using professional-grade equipment and software. Led by experienced teaching artists, the program includes twice-weekly classes, career development workshops, collaborative projects, and a capstone project that is showcased at the end of the semester. Participants who successfully complete the program requirements may receive a $300 incentive. Applications are due the week of September 21, 2026.

View details about Next Gen

Eligible ages: 15 to 24. The Youth Climate Action Fund provides microgrants of $1,000 to $5,000 to support youth-led climate projects in San Francisco. Youth teams can apply for funding to design and implement projects focused on climate priorities such as waste reduction, urban greening, climate justice, environmental education, community resilience, and more. Design workshops are available to help participants strengthen their project ideas, and support is available to connect applicants with a fiscal sponsor if needed. Applications are due by September 30, 2026.

View details about the Youth Climate Action Innovation Challenge

Eligible ages: 12 to 24. LYRIC's Community Drop-In Space provides a welcoming and affirming place for LGBTQQ+ youth ages 12–24 to build community, connect with peers, and access resources. Participants can learn about LGBTQQ+ identities and history, find support, and enjoy activities, workshops, and games in a safe and inclusive environment. The drop-in space is open Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m. at 127 Collingwood Street, and a free hot meal is served every Wednesday.

For more information, contact the Program Coordinator at lux@lyric.org, or the Program Manager at jasmine@lyric.org

Eligible ages: 8 to 21. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people grow and reach their potential. The program matches youth with trained adult mentors through a careful process that focuses on safety, commitment, and strong connections. Youth are referred by parents, guardians, teachers, and social workers, and the program serves families across all nine Bay Area counties. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

View details about Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area Mentorship Program

Eligible grade: high school juniors. Destined for College is a free program from ScholarMatch that helps high school students who will be the first in their families to attend college. Students join the virtual program during their senior year and meet once a month with a college coach by phone, text, email, or video. Coaches help students explore college options, review financial aid offers, write personal statements, search for scholarships, fill out financial aid forms, and solve any problems with their college applications. Applications are due by September 18, 2026.

View details about ScholarMatch's Destined for College Program!

Eligible grades: 11 and 12. The Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program helps train more Black and Pacific Islander teachers to work with young children in San Francisco. The Transitional Age Youth Pathway, which is for youth in grades 11 and 12, helps young adults earn an Assistant Teacher Permit. In this pathway, participants learn in a small group with others, earn college credits, and have their tuition paid for. They also receive tutoring and support from coaches and mentors. Participants can join affinity groups, build strong friendships, and connect to jobs at early childhood education centers in San Francisco. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

View details about the Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program

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

View details about finding a job center for youth and young adults

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.

View details about the New Door Ventures Employment Program

Eligible ages: 16 and 17. Online pre-registration to vote is available for California youth who are 16 or 17 years old. Young people can sign up so they are ready to vote when they turn 18. Pre-registration does not change the voting age, which is still 18: it simply allows teens to fill out the voter registration form early. To pre-register, a person must be a United States citizen, live in California, not be serving a state or federal prison sentence for a felony, and not be found mentally unable to vote by a court.

View details about pre-registering to vote

Eligible ages: 18 and up. The BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship is seeking documentary filmmakers from across the United States who are directing their first or second nonfiction feature film. Fellows receive $10,000 in unrestricted funding, nine months of mentorship, workshops, industry connections, peer support, and travel opportunities, including two convenings in San Francisco and attendance at an international film festival or conference. The application process begins with a brief Intent to Apply form, and eligible applicants will be invited to complete the full application. The Intent to Apply deadline is August 30, 2026.

View details about the MediaMaker Fellowship

Eligible ages: 18 and up. Super PA is a four-day, hands-on training designed for emerging creatives interested in Production Assistant (PA) and entry-level film and media opportunities. Participants will build foundational skills in PA responsibilities, set etiquette, walkie-talkie protocols, production equipment, call sheets, crew communication, and production workflows. The program will take place from September 21 to 24, 2026. No formal film training or previous professional production experience is required, and participants who successfully complete the program will receive a $400 stipend. Applications are due by September 4, 2026.

View details about BAYCAT’s Super PA Career Success Intensive

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. The Pharmacy Technician Program is a free, paid training program for young adults who want to work in a pharmacy. Beginning October 5, 2026, the six-month program includes pharmacy technician training, a 140-hour externship, help preparing for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam, career coaching, and job search support. Participants who complete the program will be ready to take the PTCB certification exam and apply for jobs as pharmacy technicians. The application period will close in early September 2026.

View details about the Pharmacy Technician Program

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. The Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides participants with the hardware, coding instruction, and technical skills needed to pursue careers in technology. It connects participants from underserved communities with apprenticeships, internships, and employment opportunities. Each participant is matched with a technology mentor for six months, receiving personalized guidance, career advice, and professional support to help prepare for and succeed in the tech industry. The Fall 2026 program runs from September 14 through December 4, 2026.

View details about the Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. The Adult Pathway of the Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program supports young adults who want to become early childhood educators in San Francisco. This pathway helps participants earn an Assistant Teacher Permit. Students learn in a small group with others, earn college credits, and have their tuition paid for. They receive tutoring and support from coaches and mentors along the way. Participants can join affinity groups, build strong professional connections, and connect to jobs at early childhood education centers in San Francisco. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

View details about the Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program

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.

View details about Public Benefits for Young Adults

Eligible ages: 18 to 26. The Booker T. Washington Community Service Center's Transitional Age Youth Program supports young adults as they build independence and figure out what’s next. Participants can get one-on-one support, help finding a job, and join workshops on money, mental health, parenting, and everyday life skills. There are also community events and peer support, with both drop-in and group sessions so people can connect, learn, and grow together.

View details about the Transitional Age Youth program

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.

View details about claiming your Kindergarten to College money

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. LYRIC offers paid internships all year and invites young people to fill out a form if they are interested. The Youth Ambassadors program is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual youth and allies, where participants build job skills, work on projects related to their goals, and help run LYRIC programs. The program takes place in set cohorts, with dates shared once they are confirmed. Interns work about 10 hours a week, Monday through Friday for two hours each day, and are paid an hourly wage. The internship location is shared only with those who are selected.

View details about LYRIC Youth Ambassadors

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. Mission Language & Vocational School offers a bilingual (English and Spanish) Hospitality Training Program for young adults who want to work in the hospitality industry. In this program, students get hands-on experience at Jim’s Restaurant in the Mission and earn industry certificates when they finish. The program is for San Francisco residents who are currently unemployed or underemployed and interested in hospitality careers. Participants must be able to attend about 10 hours a week for 8 weeks.

View details about the Mission Language and Vocational School's Hospitality Training Program

Eligible ages: 18 and up. 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.

View details about applying to train for a career in transportation

Eligible ages: 18 and up. OEWD's Hospitality Initiative prepares you for a career in hospitality at no cost. Open to both beginners and experienced hospitality workers.

View details about applying to train for a career in hospitality

Eligible ages: 18 and up. CityBuild provides industry-recognized training for construction and construction administration to San Francisco residents.

View details about applying to train for a career in construction

Eligible ages: 18 and up. The SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development's TechSF program prepares you for a career in technology by offering training programs at no cost to participants.

View details about applying to train for a career in technology

Eligible ages: 18 and up. The SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development's HealthCare Academy prepares you for a career in healthcare at no cost. Open to both beginners and experienced healthcare workers.

View details about applying to train for a career in healthcare