Blockchain Registration Transaction Record

Santa Cruz Partnership Creates Paid Internships for Underserved Youth

Santa Cruz Works & Digital NEST partner to create paid internships for underserved youth through AHSC grant program. Ten local businesses hosting interns in tech & marketing roles.

This initiative addresses systemic employment barriers while building a more resilient local economy. By providing paid internships to underserved youth, it creates equitable pathways to wealth-building careers and reduces economic disparities. The program simultaneously supports small businesses through financial subsidies, fostering mentorship opportunities that might otherwise be financially prohibitive. This model demonstrates how targeted workforce development can strengthen community ties, reduce commute-related emissions, and create a more diverse talent pipeline—benefits that extend beyond individual participants to transform the entire regional economy.