Enterprise for Youth empowers under-resourced San Francisco youth to reach their potential through transformative paid internship experiences supported by a community of employers, caring adults, and peers.

Enterprise for Youth envisions that all San Francisco youth are prepared for their professional future and become successful members of society.

It was amazing to learn from these interns and try to connect their interests with our programming. It is great to see how young our interns were and how they are taking the first step in exploring the workforce and landing their first internship to expose them to a work environment.
—Karen Dizon, Development Manager at APIA Scholars

Founded in 1969, Enterprise for Youth have served over 20,000 young people to date. Each year, 500 youth attend workshops that cover topics ranging from interviewing and resume and cover letter preparation to money management skills and conflict resolution. We place 300 youth yearly in internships that give them the opportunity to dig deeper into career fields they’re interested in pursuing. Participants who complete our program apply and enroll at higher rates to post-secondary education. Enterprise for Youth sets young people on the right path to achieve career success.

In 1969, Gladys Thacher founded Enterprise for Youth (formerly Enterprise for High School Students) in her living room with the idea of giving young people opportunities that would prepare them for the workforce. Since then, over 20,000 young people have ventured out in our beloved San Francisco to engage in the world of work.

When she started, Glady listed jobs on index cards and connected those jobs to young people who were eager to work. Almost 50 years later, Enterprise offers an internship program, workshops, job shadows, and a job bank. For many of the youth who came through Enterprise, these programs can have a profound impact, setting them on course to a successful future. The Board, staff, students, and alumni of Enterprise are eternally grateful for Glady’s vision and dedication to San Francisco’s youth.