Young adults in Santa Cruz County have a new route to paid work experience and career development through a program that places them with local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Santa Cruz Works, in partnership with Cabrillo College and the City of Santa Cruz, is offering more than 10 paid internships through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Internship Opportunity Program. The initiative is designed for young adults, particularly those living in underserved communities, and provides wages, flexible schedules, professional mentorship, and career connections in fields such as technology, marketing, media, sustainability, business operations, and community services.
The program matters because unpaid internships often put valuable experience out of reach for young people who cannot afford to work without pay. Interns will work approximately 10 to 20 hours per week for up to six months, depending on the position, and all internships must conclude by June 1, 2027. Each participant works alongside an experienced supervisor, contributes to meaningful projects, and builds practical skills that can lead to future employment. The program is open to young adults 18 and older who live in underserved communities in Santa Cruz County, with priority given to residents of neighborhoods including Beach Flats, Lower Ocean, Live Oak, Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, and the Pajaro Valley. Applicants do not need extensive professional experience, and there is no cost to apply.
More than 10 local organizations are offering opportunities, representing a diverse range of industries. Participating organizations include Clean Oceans International, Coastwoods Real Estate / Legacy Property, GeoPulse Solutions Inc., KRML, Mission Hill Creamery, People First of Santa Cruz, Sarah Marschall Strategy, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery, Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center, Treeswax, and United Way of Santa Cruz County. Positions and responsibilities vary by organization, giving students and young adults with different interests and skills a chance to explore career paths while contributing to their community.
The program builds on the success of its first cohort, which placed young adults with local businesses and nonprofits. Previous participants gained experience in software engineering, marketing, communications, video production, and community outreach. Yuliana Morales-Galvan, a software engineering intern at Nurbli, helped improve digital tools supporting Indigenous families. Emily Ramirez developed social media and outreach skills at Clean Oceans International, while Elsa Tamayo gained marketing and communications experience at Siena House. These examples show how a paid internship can provide more than a paycheck by building confidence, professional relationships, and experience that strengthens future job and college applications. The AHSC program is funded through a grant awarded to the City of Santa Cruz, which partnered with Santa Cruz Works to create paid employment opportunities connecting young adults from underserved communities with local employers. Launched in June 2025 with Digital NEST, the program expanded in its second cohort to include Cabrillo College as a workforce development partner. Young adults interested in available positions can view internships and apply through Santa Cruz Works - Paid Internship Opportunities, and Cabrillo College students may also complete the Student Interest Form linked on the program webpage. Parents, teachers, counselors, community organizations, and youth mentors are encouraged to share these opportunities with eligible young adults.
For the region, the initiative supports economic mobility, career readiness, and a stronger local workforce. By paying young people to learn on the job, the program helps local employers develop talent and gives underserved residents a foothold in industries where connections and experience often determine who gets hired. Santa Cruz Works is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the economic vitality of Santa Cruz County and the greater Monterey Bay region through entrepreneurship programs, workforce development, industry partnerships, and community events. More information about its work is available at Santa Cruz Works.
