FutureMakers: Empowering LA Youth for Economic Mobility

Youth economic advancement

South LA City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) East LA Central LA

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

Los Angeles County is grappling with a significant challenge of youth unemployment, particularly among “opportunity youth” aged 14 - 24 who are neither in school nor employed. Approximately 14% of LA youth, about 73,000 individuals, fall into this category, with concentrated numbers in areas like South LA and the San Fernando Valley. These youth are often from low-income backgrounds and face barriers such as a high unemployment rate that reaches 17–18% in some neighborhoods, compared to a citywide average. Nationally, youth unemployment was reported at 9.7% in early 2025. Structural issues such as discrimination and high dropout rates further exacerbate the situation. Urgent intervention is needed to connect these young people to jobs and provide them with necessary skills and support to break the cycle of poverty and inequality.

The EOT University Intern Placement Program is an equity-driven initiative aimed at connecting opportunity youth and students who pursue a non-traditional education path (ages 14–24) in Los Angeles with paid internships at various innovative businesses, startups, and nonprofits. Over an 8-week immersive experience, participants are matched with host organizations based on their interests and skills, engaging in real-world projects in fields like technology, marketing, and social impact.
Key features of the program include:
Personalized Matching: Tailored project briefs align internship roles with both youth interests and organizational needs.
Professional Development: Participants receive coaching and workshops on essential skills, such as digital literacy and project management.
Youth Co-Design: Interns have a say in their tracks and experiences, ensuring their voices are heard.
Equity and Inclusion: The program focuses on recruiting from underrepresented backgrounds to address barriers to economic mobility.
Portfolio Development: Interns create tangible deliverables, build professional portfolios, and connect with future job opportunities or education.
Overall, the program promotes paid, skills-based internships with a focus on youth empowerment and long-term economic advancement, aiming to reduce income inequality in Los Angeles County.

The EOT University Intern Placement Program aims to significantly reduce youth disconnection and economic exclusion in Los Angeles County, particularly among opportunity youth and students who pursue a non-traditional education path ages 14-24. In the short term (October 2025–October 2026), the program will provide at least 50 young people from high-need neighborhoods with paid work experience, mentorship, and pathways to stable jobs, starting a movement to address the issue of over 156,000 youth who are impacted. Long-term, it seeks to bridge equity gaps in employment, education, and income by empowering youth and fostering leadership skills. As the program expands, it aims to create a sustainable talent pipeline for the local economy, ultimately ensuring that all young people have access to meaningful work and economic mobility.