Thanks, Youthentity!

As an experiential learning organization, we love hearing from our alumni - learning about what they’re doing now and the goals they’ve set for the future.

Mauricio Sousa entered YouthChefs program as a junior in high school with an interest in baking and an idea of starting a culinary business.

Through the program, Mauricio found the business side of the restaurant and hospitality industry fascinating, and went on to earn a business degree in college. He returned to the valley and now works with a local developer.

Miriam Flores participated in a Youthentity-led financial exercise called the Investment Challenge. A high school student, Miriam loved the business aspect of the workshop and wanted to continue learning about business operations. Executive Director Kirsten McDaniel created a position for Miriam, teaching her how to manage YE’s finances and day-to-day operations. Miriam went on to earn a business degree, and is now a controller at a Roaring Fork nonprofit.

In the earlier days of YE, Blake Lockard participated in WebEntity, in which high school students took on clients who needed help building websites and integrating digital marketing into their business strategy. Blake was able to explore this emerging industry while honing his skills, and later became a freelance web designer on the Front Range before moving back to Carbondale to take a position at a local marketing agency.

Blake, Miriam and Mauricio are just a few of the students who have gained a sense of career direction while participating in Youthentity programs. Not only do our programs encourage young people to explore their interests, we help kids learn to make a plan while taking into consideration a variety of factors such as education costs and financing, salaries, lifestyle and living costs, and so much more. With Youthentity, kids can envision their futures and get the guidance and mentorship to help make it a reality.