Project Youth OC

We’re excited to invite you to partner with Project Youth OC by hosting a Project Self intern this summer at your firm or company, from June 10th to August 1st, 2025. This opportunity provides high school students with hands-on professional experience, helping them explore and develop their careers. We are on track to place 50 students, but we are still seeking additional placements to expand this valuable opportunity! (please email [email protected] for details) We appreciate the commitment and dedication of the firms and organizations that are paving the way for so many bright and deserving students! Allen Matkins?Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP Bohm Wildish & Matsen, LLP Callahan & Blaine Crowell & Moring DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo - Injury Trial Attorneys Everett Dorey Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher - Dubai Grant, Genovese & Baratta, LLP Greenberg Gross LLP Haynes and Boone, LLP Irell & Manella LLP Jim Shott Knobbe Martens Malcolm Cisneros, A Law Corporation, Minyard | Morris Newmeyer Dillion Palmieri, Tyler, Wiener, Wilhelm & Waldron, LLP, Payne & Fears LLP Public Law Center Rutan & Tucker, LLP Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP Snell & Wilmer Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP Traut Injury Law Umberg/Zipser LLP Wesierski & Zurek LLP Woodruff & Smart, Robinson Calcagnie, Inc. Kubota & Craig Community Legal Aid SoCal O'Melveny & Myers LLP FBFK Law Read Cecy’s and Graciela’s inspiring stories—PYOC is proud to support their journey and couldn't do it without the support of our partners! Alejandra Diaz Nancy Garcia Eric Hernandez Manuel Gutierrez Miriam Ochoa-Garibay Laura Marcum

ON THE MOVE!?? ?? Our Project Youth OC 2025 Board Officers are featured in the 'People on the Move' section of Orange County Business Journal! Their leadership, vision, and dedication will guide PYOC to new heights this year. We are grateful for their commitment to excellence and are excited to see the lasting impact they will have within our organization and the community! Laura Marcum Manuel Gutierrez Nancy Garcia Bianca Carranco Wesley Polischuk Anthony Modarelli Miguel Prietto, Jr. Kristin Gomez Kelly Lucinda Galligan

For?THIRTY years,?Project Self?has given?1,600+ high school students?from underserved communities their?FIRST PAID professional job experience?in offices across Orange County! ? Be part of this legacy—host an intern this summer! ???? ???? "Project Self summer internship program offers an outstanding opportunity for Orange County youth to obtain elevated employment experience at an early age. We were privileged to host a Project Self summer intern who provided a generational perspective that energized our law firm and gave us an opportunity to invest in the next generation of legal professionals."?– Kubota & Craig PC A small opportunity can?change the course of a young person’s future! Project Self 2025 Internship Details: Date:?June 10 – August 1, 2025 Recognition Reception:?August 6, 2025?at Turnip Rose, Costa Mesa Paid by the business:?$17.50/hour Contact us for more info: Alejandra Diaz |?[email protected] Alejandra Diaz Eric Hernandez Manuel Gutierrez Laura Marcum Bianca Carranco Nancy Garcia Miriam Ochoa-Garibay

This past weekend, Project Youth OC partnered with the California State University, Fullerton Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society to expose students in our Project Self and Diversion programs to the numerous higher education opportunities and resources available at CSUF! Through this event, students had the chance to: ?Take a guided campus tour (available in both English and Spanish) ?Engage with a panel of CSUF students, faculty, and community professionals, including representatives from Project Rebound, Tuffee Basic Needs, Health and Wellness Center, Disability Support Services, and Financial Aid. ?Connect directly with current undergraduate students over lunch while participating in roundtable discussions! A huge thank you to Dr. Veronica Herrera, Karen Nguyen, and Victoria Mendez for making this event such a memorable experience for the students! Alejandra Diaz Eric Hernandez Laura Marcum Miriam Ochoa-Garibay Manuel Gutierrez

Let’s walk or run together! ????♀?????♀?

Project Youth OC is proud to be a designated charity partner of the The OC Marathon for 21 years, raising over $900,000 to empower youth through a human-centered, whole-family approach, providing equitable access to education and pathways to self-sufficiency and economic freedom! ???? ??Join the Team Challenge: We’re offering exclusive discounted registration rates for teams that commit to raising a minimum of $2,500 to support our programs. To join, teams must register directly through Project Youth OC. ??Be a Sponsor: Showcase your business to thousands of participants while supporting vital programs for youth! Lets Lace Up for Change and Run with Purpose! ????♀????? #RunForACause #OCMarathon #PYOC #EmpowerYouth #Volunteer #Sponsor

It was so energizing to join the Project Youth OC team at their all staff meeting where I was invited to share my thoughts on the transformative power of feedback. Someone recently said, “Culture is the accepted and repeated behaviors in a company.” And the simplicity of this statement has stuck with me. Culture is not the words we paint on the wall. It’s not what leaders hope- or even say- it will be. It is what is happening day in and day out in your organization. My hat is off to Laura Marcum for walking the walk and building culture alongside her team- who were all so engaged in the process. I was inspired by the energy in the room. ??We talked Drama Triangle ?? We unpacked the dysfunctional family dynamics that we bring to the workplace ??And we went through a script for giving feedback without serving up a S#%t Sandwich ?? ?? ?? All of these topics require self reflection, vulnerability, curiosity and stepping outside of your comfort zone. And the Project Youth OC team went there. ???? Thank you to Laura Marcum and Bianca Carranco for thinking of me. And thank you to the entire team at Project Youth OC for the work you’re doing to build strong cultures within the non-profit space. Our community is better for it. I was so impressed by your team.

What a fantastic evening at the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund's -2025 Grant Giving Reception! Project Youth OC is grateful for the continued support and honored to share the room with so many incredible organizations working together to make a lasting impact in our community! These contributions will support PYOC in enhancing our College & Career Access program, which is designed to help young people ages 16-24: >build essential life and professional skills >overcome barriers to success >identify their career interests and >pursue higher education or career opportunities! Together, we are creating opportunities that empower the next generation to succeed and make a lasting impact in their communities! #OCBarAssociation #PYOC #CharitableGiving Nancy Garcia Manuel Gutierrez Bianca Carranco Kelly Lucinda Galligan Laura Marcum Wesley Polischuk

We are grateful to have Medtronic as a valued partner in our Project Self program at Project Youth OC. This month, Medtronic graciously joined us for our monthly workshop, where students had the opportunity to learn about a new industry and engage in meaningful group discussions. The goal of our Project Self program is to help transition-aged youth (ages 16-24) build essential life and professional skills. Through intensive case management and mentorship, we guide them in overcoming barriers, achieving their goals, and pursuing promising career paths for a brighter future. A huge thank you to corporate partners like Medtronic for investing in our students' lives through exposure and mentorship. Your support is helping open doors to new opportunities. If your company would like to engage their employees in a meaningful way, please message us! #Partnership #Mentorship #CareerDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #ProjectSelf #Medtronic #PYOC Manuel Gutierrez Eric Hernandez Alejandra Diaz Miriam Ochoa-Garibay Laura Marcum Bianca Carranco Nancy Garcia Victoria Velez

Project Youth OC concluded the year on a high note with our 2024 Annual Meeting, commemorating?55 years?of making a difference?in?the lives of youth and families across Orange County! Mayor Ashleigh Aitken was our radiant Master of Ceremonies. As a longtime friend and supporter of PYOC, Ashleigh's passion for youth advocacy truly set the tone for the evening. 2024 Board President Kelly Lucinda Galligan highlighted the organization's accomplishments and was celebrated for a remarkable year of leadership and service. We welcomed our new Board President, Wesley Polischuk and our new slate of Board Officers who will provide direction and strategic guidance for Project Youth OC over the next two years. Stay tuned for more info on our outstanding Officers! Congratulations to our 2024 Award Recipients! You drive our mission forward and you mean so much to us. ?Society of Fellows Award:?Mark Robinson of Robinson Calcagnie ?Community Partner Award:?Orange County Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (OC-ALA) As we enter our 56th year, we’re energized and more determined than ever to continue empowering youth and families for generations to come. The journey is far from over, and we look forward to all that lies ahead. #ProjectYouthOC #PYOC Laura Marcum Nancy Garcia Manuel Gutierrez Silvestre L. martha madrid Bianca Carranco