A New Wave of Young Leaders is Rising in Fresno

In November, 27 high school students from seven different Fresno Unified School District campuses graduated from the Fresno BHC Youth Internship Program. The graduation ceremony signals the arrival of a new generation of young leaders who are already contributing to Fresno’s future and preparing themselves to fuel the region’s economy in the years to come.

This program, created and led by Fresno BHC, is one of the most ambitious and impactful youth development efforts in Fresno County. It is a nine-month paid internship that offers students hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and academic coursework that allows them to earn elective credits through Fresno Unified.

A History of Success

Very few youth programs in Fresno provide both a stipend and structured workforce preparation, which is why this internship has become such an important bridge between high school and the broader world of work, leadership, and civic engagement. With nearly 150 graduates over five cohorts, the Youth Internship Program has steadily shaped a pipeline of young people who are ready to step into leadership roles across public health, education, advocacy, and community development.

There is a growing need in Fresno to prepare young people for meaningful roles in shaping the community. During their nine-month internship, students learn about key health-related issues affecting local families, study the ways public systems influence daily life, and develop solutions for causes they care deeply about. Their time in the program culminates in a capstone project that allows them to demonstrate new skills, new confidence, and a clearer sense of their own ability to make a difference.

Community Connections

What makes the Youth Internship Program especially meaningful is the way it weaves community health into every session. The interns learn that economic development does not exist in isolation but is closely related to health, safety, and opportunity. They have worked to expand public access to parks and green spaces, which play a major role in physical and mental health. They helped engage thousands of residents in transportation planning, gaining firsthand experience in how mobility affects access to jobs, schools, and essential services. Through these experiences, they learned how to think critically and communicate effectively with the public, as well as how to advance economic development that prioritizes the needs of everyday people.

Several dignitaries and public officials supported the graduation ceremony, including staff from the office of Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula and representatives from the office of City Councilmember Nelson Esparza, who presented the graduates with certificates celebrating their success.

The Economic Benefit of Investing in Youth

At its heart, the Youth Internship Program demonstrates what is possible when a community decides to invest in its young people. A healthy economy requires workers who can adapt, collaborate, and lead. A health community requires residents who understand the systems around them and believe they have the power to influence those systems. Each intern who completes this program gains those skills and confidence. They also gain a network of mentors, peers, and partners who will continue supporting them as they pursue college, careers, and leadership roles.

Every successful internship program strengthens Fresno’s future. Graduates will carry the lessons they’ve learned and will shape schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, and local institutions. They will bring new ideas to long-standing challenges. They will push Fresno toward a more inclusive and stronger local economy.

As these 27 graduating interns step into their next chapter, Fresno gains 27 new reasons to believe in the promise of its future.

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