Program Overview
This program matches mentees with mentors.
In 3 months, you’ll experience both hands-on sessions and business logistics sessions based on your field of interest.
“Let’s get Cooking” and “Let’s Keep it Real” will run concurrently for a span of 3 months, then mentees will have a final 1 day mentor-matching session. Youth must attend both “Let’s get Cooking” and “Let’s Keep it Real” to be eligible for mentor matching.
Let’s get Cooking
Hands-on skill exposure with local business owners
In a 90-minute hands-on session, youth are exposed to a wide range of trades, creative careers, and small businesses through direct experience, so they can make informed decisions about their future instead of guessing what they might like. Youth must attend both “Let’s get Cooking” and “Let’s Keep it Real” to be eligible for mentor matching.
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We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect—so the experience feels both focused and fluid.
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Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.
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Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.
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Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
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We often include optional check-ins, next steps, or community resources to help you keep the momentum going.
Let’s Keep it Real
Reality Check Q&A Sessions With Business Owners
After the youth experience a hands-on career, in a 60-minute Q&A, they gather the real-life information needed to understand what it actually takes to run that business or build that career. Youth must attend both “Let’s get Cooking” and “Let’s Keep it Real” to be eligible for mentor matching.
-
We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect—so the experience feels both focused and fluid.
-
Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.
-
Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.
-
Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
-
We often include optional check-ins, next steps, or community resources to help you keep the momentum going.
Quick Chats, Big Dreams
Mentor Match Event
After youth have completed at least 10 paired Program 1 + 2 sessions, in a half-day event, they will meet with 10 business owners in a reverse speed-dating format and choose a long-term mentor. The mentor-match moment is treated as a ceremony to mark the transition from exploration to commitment
-
We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect—so the experience feels both focused and fluid.
-
Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.
-
Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.
-
Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
-
We often include optional check-ins, next steps, or community resources to help you keep the momentum going.
