Stepping Into the Future: Outfitting Sharefest Interns for Success

Preparing continuation high school youth for life after graduation takes more than academics. It takes exposure, mentorship, planning—and confidence. For many of our Sharefest Summer Interns, that confidence started with something simple but powerful: seeing themselves as professionals.

Thanks to the generous support of The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation, students in our six-week paid internship program had the opportunity to be fully outfitted in professional attire. For young people stepping into the working world—many for the first time—this experience is about more than clothes. It’s about identity, empowerment, and possibility.

What can often be a stressful or unfamiliar process became a joyful one. Caring volunteers helped each student feel seen and supported as they selected professional looks that made them feel comfortable, respected, and proud. Each student left with head-to-toe outfits that included jackets, ties, dress shoes, suits, accessories—and a renewed sense of self.

There’s nothing quite as moving as watching a student who once felt unsure stand a little taller, smile a little wider, and begin to believe in the adult they’re becoming. When we talk about building confidence for college and career readiness, this is what we mean.

We are deeply grateful to The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation and to all the individuals who helped bring this experience to life. Your investment made it possible for our students to literally and emotionally step into their future.

Thank you for believing in them.