Picture this…

Slam-dunking a basketball during a Lakers playoff game.
Spotting rare cheetahs playing up close on an African safari.
Enjoying an epic concert and getting invited backstage by the band.
Watching a humpback whale breach out of the water from 10 feet away.

Can you feel the excitement? Can you feel the awe and wonder? Can you feel the specialness of being chosen to partake in such a glorious moment?

S. Mark Taper Foundation, this is how you made us feel at Sharefest! Our team is jumping up and down with excitement at being chosen to receive such a special gift. Foundations receive hundreds of applications every year from amazing organizations. Then in turn they have the arduous task of deciding where to appropriate their resources.

Sharefest’s Youth Leadership Academy(YLA) is a year-round career workforce development program for students attending or graduating from six Continuation High Schools in the South LA and Harbor areas of Los Angeles. YLA coursework includes career awareness, exploration, and project-based learning activities, such as developing a career plan that matches student assets and interests. Learning is
enhanced with panel discussions and field trips to expose students to potential career opportunities. For graduating students, the YLA includes an Alumni Program that offers support for 12 months to help them make the transition to post-high school life. Our New Graduate Internship is a 6-week program intensive workshop including work readiness skill development, system navigation, and financial literacy,
as well as socio-emotional development exercises and community building to ensure students have a strong foundation to enter the workforce. Students can also apply to be paid for their internship. For all graduates (including those who do not participate in the New Graduate Internship), our Career Development staff and Case Managers provide continued support checks throughout the year as students enter community college, trade school, internships/apprenticeships, and/or employment.

Sending heartfelt thanks for giving Sharefest a shot! In return, may you be in awe of the impact of your generosity.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation, founded in 1989, is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of people’s lives by supporting nonprofit organizations and their work in our communities.
The S. Mark Taper Foundation is committed to grantmaking that aligns with the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. In order to overcome the systemic disenfranchisement of people on the basis of race, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability, we join our philanthropic partners in a continuing examination of privilege and a commitment to advancing inclusion and opportunities for all people of
Southern California.