Young adults in Santa Cruz County facing financial barriers to career-building opportunities now have a new pathway to paid employment and professional experience. Santa Cruz Works, in partnership with Cabrillo College and the City of Santa Cruz, has launched the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Internship Opportunity Program, offering more than 10 paid internships with local businesses and nonprofit organizations. The initiative specifically targets young adults living in underserved communities, recognizing that unpaid internships often exclude those who cannot afford to work without a paycheck.
The program provides wages, flexible schedules of 10 to 20 hours per week for up to six months, professional mentorship, and career development support. Participating organizations span diverse sectors, including technology, marketing, media, sustainability, business operations, and community services. Among the host organizations are Clean Oceans International, GeoPulse Solutions Inc., KRML, Mission Hill Creamery, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, and United Way of Santa Cruz County. This range of placements allows participants to explore different career paths while contributing to their community.
Eligibility is open to young adults 18 and older who live in underserved areas, with priority given to residents of Beach Flats, Lower Ocean, Live Oak, Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, and the Pajaro Valley. Applicants do not need extensive professional experience; the program is designed to help them develop skills, confidence, and connections. There is no cost to apply, and all internships must conclude by June 1, 2027.
The program builds on the success of its first cohort, which placed young adults in roles such as software engineering, marketing, communications, and video production. Previous participants like Yuliana Morales-Galvan, who improved digital tools for Indigenous families at Nurbli, and Emily Ramirez, who developed outreach skills at Clean Oceans International, demonstrate how paid internships can provide more than a paycheck—they build confidence and strengthen future job and college applications.
For local employers, the program offers a way to tap into emerging talent while supporting economic mobility. For the community, it represents an investment in a stronger local workforce. Cabrillo College students can complete a Student Interest Form linked on the program webpage, and interested young adults are encouraged to apply soon. More details and the application are available through Santa Cruz Works - Paid Internship Opportunities. The initiative, funded by a grant to the City of Santa Cruz, reflects a collaborative effort to connect underserved young adults with meaningful paid work and career-launching experience.
