Youth 14+
The opportunities listed here are updated frequently, so check back often!
If you know of a job, internship, scholarship, program, or other resource that should be included on this page, please let us know at info@dcyf.org.
Disclaimer: DCYF’s only purpose in sharing this list is to provide general information about opportunities for San Francisco youth. DCYF does not endorse any of the programs listed on this page, and is not liable for any of the services nor activities provided by any of the agencies listed on this page.
BAYCAT ACADEMY: FREE DIGITAL MEDIA CLASSES
If you're a San Francisco resident, 11-18 years old, and interested in video or audio production, BAYCAT Academy is the place for you! BAYCAT offers FREE year-round classes for both emerging and experienced creatives. During their Intro courses, emerging media producers will learn the basics of storytelling and editing by working with professional gear and software. During their Advanced class – a paid internship – experienced producers will expand their skills by collaborating with real clients. BAYCAT is at 2415 3rd St., Suite 230, in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood (near Chase Center).
CHINATOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER’S YOUTH PROGRAM
Our young people are not only the future of our neighborhoods, but also key to thriving communities today. To foster the leadership potential of Chinatown youth, Chinatown CDC created the Adopt-An-Alleyway Youth Project in 1991. The project was part of the neighborhood service and empowerment program of Chinatown CDC and served to improve the conditions of Chinatown’s alleyways through youth-led neighborhood service activities. Since then, Chinatown CDC’s youth programs have expanded to address a wide range of needs in our community. The Chinatown CDC Youth Leadership Program offers young people from grades 9 to 12 intensive involvement in community issues. Our programs give youth opportunities to learn more about their community and apply what they learn through direct services to become effective future community leaders.
City Youth Now’s Youth Partnering for Education and Employment Program
City Youth Now’s Youth Partnering for Education and Employment (YPEE) program provides educational and employment support for youth ages 14-19. YPEE this through paid internships, college/vocational scholarships, and financial assistance for other education and employment related needs (interview clothing, exam fees, textbooks, and transportation to school, etc). Each year, City Youth Now also awards scholarships to college-bound youth to provide the financial resources necessary to begin their postsecondary education.
Eligibility:
Youth ages 14-19 that are involved in the San Francisco foster or juvenile justice system
Youth ages 14-19 that exhibit a need for preventative based services
Youth under 18 years of age require an approved work permit provided during onboarding
All participants must have a social security card
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information or an application, please contact emily@cityyouthnow.org.
CODEWIZARDSHQ
CodeWizardsHQ delivers fun and effective live, online coding classes for kids and teens ages 8-18. Their coding classes are designed to give students the programming knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in a digital world.
FOG Readers: Volunteer Tutors
Are you age 15 and up and looking for a volunteer opportunity? FOG Readers is a 1:1 tutoring program for children enrolled in grades 1-4 who are working on fundamental reading skills. Volunteers attend at least 7 hours of FOG Readers training, where they will learn about the program, how to build reading skills starting from letter-sound relationships, how to decode words, how to break down words into parts, and learn how parts of words can provide clues about meaning. Tutors are matched with one individual student, and are asked to meet with their students weekly for 30-min to 1-hour sessions. In addition to the instructional time, on average tutors spent 30-60 minutes preparing for each session.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
FREE CAPOEIRA CLASSES
ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco (ACSF) offers all of their Teen/Adult Capoeira classes to youth ages 13-19 FREE of charge ALL YEAR LONG. ACSF provides teens a safe space to challenge themselves, develop bonds with their peers, and make the transition from kid’s classes to adult training. While pre-registration is suggested, drop-in students will be admitted as long as they are on time.
FREE SCHOOL AND SPORTS PHYSICALS
SF Department of Public Health’s Community Health Programs for Youth (CHPY) is open for school physicals and sports physicals for youth ages 12-25. These services are offered at no charge to the student or family. Please call to make an appointment.
Locations:
3rd Street Youth Clinic, 1728 Bancroft Avenue (at 3rd Street), 415-822-1707
Cole Street Health Clinic, Huckleberry MSC at 555 Cole Street, 415-822-1707
Michael Baxter Larkin Street Youth Clinic, 134 Golden Gate Avenue, 415-673-0911 x259
Balboa Teen Health Center, 1000 Cayuga Ave. Room 156, 415-469-4512
Burton High School Clinic (for Burton students), 400 Mansell Street, 415-469-4006 x3
Willie Brown School Clinic (for Willie Brown Middle School and Marshall High School Students), 2055 Silver Ave., 415-642-8901
GOLDEN GATE AREA COUNCIL - BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Do you crave excitement and opportunities to develop your character? Golden Gate Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will gladly help you start your adventure with a unit that fits your needs and engrosses you in nature, values, and camaraderie. We offer various activities and programs to help you grow, learn, and have fun. With more than 20 Packs, Troops, and Ships to choose from, there is a scouting program that fits every individual. Whether it's the path to Eagle Scout or just a desire to learn about and enjoy the outdoors, scouting has something for everyone.
Scouts BSA for ages 11 to 18
Sea Scouts for ages 14 to 20
HYPE Center
The HYPE Center is a multi-service drop-in center designed by and for young people to easily access the services and resources they want from multiple providers under one roof. All of HYPE’s resources and services are free, and they welcome ALL Bay Area youth between ages 14-24. To join, drop in for a New Member Orientation between 11am and 6pm, Monday - Thursday, at 198 Potrero Avenue.
MISSION BIT’S WEEK OF CODE
Week of Code is a week-long coding event designed to ignite your passion for programming! Are you ready to embark on a journey of exploration, creativity, and problem-solving? Look no further than Week of Code workshops, where you can unleash your inner technologist.
Each day Mission Bit will offer introductory coding workshops that cater to all skill levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some coding experience, there’s something for everyone. You can choose to attend just one workshop or challenge yourself by participating in all of them.
Dates: May 20-24, 2024
Time: 5-7 pm for all workshops
Workshops:
Monday, May 20: Python Art with Turtles | remote on Zoom
Tuesday, May 21: Sports Data Analytics with SQL | remote on Zoom
Wednesday, May 22: Magic 8 Ball with JavaScript | remote on Zoom
Thursday, May 23: Tribute Website with HTML and CSS | remote on Zoom
Friday, May 24: VR Vision with Meta Quest 2 | in person at LinkedIn in SF
The deadline to register is the day before each class takes place.
MISSION VOICES SUMMER 2024
Mission Voices Summer (MVS) gives youth artists ages 15-19 the opportunity to explore relevant social and personal issues through a visual arts intensive program that results in a group exhibition on view to the public. MVS focuses on arts-based community development by pairing local artists with teens to develop visual arts projects unified by a single contemporary theme. MVS teaches youth to use the visual arts as a tool to express their creative voices and to make a visual statement about their ideas, interests and ambitions. MVS is a chance for youth to realize their fullest potential in conceptual artistic practice in tandem with individualized creativity.
MVS runs July 8 through August 1 with an opening reception for the group exhibition on August 1. Meetings are four days a week, Mondays through Thursdays from 12pm-3pm during the run of the program.
Applications are due by July 1, 2024.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL SUMMER 2024 INTERNSHIPS
Opportunities for All (OFA) provides access to career exploration and workforce development for San Francisco’s youth and young adults. The initiative includes paid internships, mentorship, and pathways to employment, including job readiness, career training, and apprenticeship for participants. Applicants must be San Francisco Residents and/or SFUSD students between the ages of 13 - 24.
The application period will be open through the end of May 2024, but you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Project Avary Teen Leaders
Are you a youth age 14 and up who has experienced a parent or loved one in prison, jail or ICE detention? Do you want to learn job skills and tap into your leadership potential? Project Avary is looking for enthusiastic Teen Leaders to help facilitate participation for children of incarcerated parents at our Group Mentoring overnight retreats, summer camp and online support groups. At Project Avary, teens are supported along a journey of growth, with the opportunity to train as paid counselors. Applications are always open and are accepted on a rolling basis.
PROJECT WHAT!
Project WHAT! (We’re Here And Talking!) is a paid leadership and advocacy program for Bay Area youth ages 14+ who had or currently have an incarcerated parent or have been impacted by the criminal justice system. The goal of Project WHAT! is to create a community that encourages children with incarcerated parents or those that have been system impacted to use their voice, pride, and power. PW Youth Advocates are trained as facilitators, and eventually use their experiential expertise and leadership skills to provide training workshops for law enforcement, educators, lawmakers, and other community members on how to interact with, support, and advocate for children with incarcerated parents. Using their public speaking and leadership skills gained through the program, they advocate for themselves and their peers at the local and State level by speaking at legislative hearings, participating in protests, and presenting at conferences.
Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) is a transformative, five-day residential camp for high school students supported by local Rotary clubs. RYLA develops youth leadership skills, promotes personal development and encourages mental well-being through the friendships and fun at camp.
RYLA takes place July 28 to August 2, 2024 at the beautiful Redwood Glen camp facility in Scotts Valley near Santa Cruz. RYLA is free for all students, thanks to the support of local Rotary clubs. Rotary also organizes buses to and from camp.
RYLA is open to all current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors at the time of application and who live or study in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties. No leadership experience required. All students who apply are accepted to the camp, subject to availability.
Applications are due by May 15, 2024.
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY - YOUTH VOLUNTEERS
If you are a youth (under age 18, or 18 and still in high school) interested in volunteering at a particular SF Public Library location, please call or go to that location to set up a time to discuss any available opportunities with a librarian. If the library has an open opportunity to offer you, the librarian will create a schedule with you and ask you to complete the following:
Youth interest form with your contact information, skills, and interests
Uploading proof that you have been vaccinated against Covid-19
Youth volunteer agreement that your parent or guardian must sign, agreeing to your volunteer service and schedule
SF PUBLIC LIBRARY AND STUDY SMART TUTORS FREE COLLEGE & LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS
The SF Public Library is partnering with Study Smart Tutors to provide free college and life skills classes that range from socioemotional well-being to youth workforce development and college prep. Strengthen public speaking skills or explore career paths. Ask questions at college consultation office hours or learn how to improve a college admissions essay. Finish off the month with a regular mindfulness workshop to discover breathing techniques and build necessary skills. Classes are taught by veteran instructors dedicated to providing an individualized experience so that every high school student can realize and reach their post-secondary goals. Workshops open to students in grades 9–12 who live or attend school in San Francisco.
SFUSD’S FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE
Tons of resources about financial aid for San Francisco students, including direct links to scholarship opportunities, videos about financial aid, timelines, worksheets, and lots more.
SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH COMMISSION’S MONDAY FUNDAYS
Join the San Francisco Youth Commission at their monthly Monday Fundays! These community building events are for Youth Commissioners, youth at large, and community members to discuss important topics with each other.
Monday Fundays will take place at San Francisco City Hall in Room 345 on the first Monday of every month from 3:30pm to 5pm, before the first Full Youth Commission meeting of each month. Light refreshments provided!
If you have questions about Monday Fundays, please send an email to youthcom@sfgov.org.
SCIENTIFIC MINDS OF AMERICA - BECOME A TUTOR
Scientific Minds of America is a registered non profit with a mission to provide free online tutoring sessions to students K-8 from volunteer high school tutors nationwide.
SMOA is currently recruiting students in grade 8 and up to be online tutors. Tutors select their own subjects, schedule, and grade preferences, and offer tutoring for 1-2 hours each week. Tutors are provided lesson plans, and are supervised by SMOA staff. Tutors receive certified service hours, and are eligible to earn the Presidential Volunteer Service award– a national distinction, and a great resume builder!
Youth Empowerment Fund Community Funders
Community Funders are responsible for the review and disbursement of Youth Empowerment Fund Mini-Grant Funds. Community Funders read and score mini-grant applications, interview applicants, and use a consensus model to make funding decisions.
You Will:
Support youth-led social change
Earn $19.00+ per hour for all Youth Empowerment Fund related work
Make new friends and connections from all over San Francisco
Learn first-hand about philanthropy
Explore San Francisco through fieldtrips, conferences, and events
Qualifications:
Be a young person in high school between 15-17 years old (must be 15 by 09/2024 in order to be eligible)
Reside or attend school in San Francisco
Must be able to obtain a work permit
Applications are due by June 21, 2024.