The collaboration between Santa Cruz Works and Digital NEST is providing valuable workforce development opportunities for young adults through the AHSC 2025–26 Internship Opportunity Program. Funded by the City of Santa Cruz through the California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grant, this initiative supports paid internships for underserved youth while benefiting local businesses, creating a dual impact on career pathways and the regional economy.
The AHSC grant represents California's comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting healthier communities through the integration of affordable housing with sustainable transportation and equitable economic opportunity. This internship program directly advances that mission by connecting local talent with local employment opportunities, thereby reducing commute distances and fostering a more resilient, sustainable economy. The program's significance lies in its ability to address multiple community challenges simultaneously—workforce development, economic equity, and environmental sustainability.
Ten local businesses have welcomed interns for six-month, paid positions through the program. Each participating company receives up to $10,000 in grant funding to compensate their interns, effectively lowering financial barriers for small businesses and startups that want to mentor emerging talent. This financial support structure enables companies that might otherwise lack resources to participate in workforce development while ensuring interns receive fair compensation for their work.
The partnership operates through a coordinated approach where Santa Cruz Works recruits participating companies, while Digital NEST handles intern recruiting, training, and case management. Many interns come from bizzNEST, Digital NEST's youth-powered creative agency where participants gain paid experience in digital marketing, software development, and design through real client projects. This preparatory experience ensures interns enter their positions with relevant skills and professional exposure.
Bonnie Lipscomb, Director of Economic Development and Housing for the City of Santa Cruz, emphasized the program's transformative potential, stating that it levels the playing field for residents who have faced systemic barriers to employment while eliminating cost concerns for businesses wanting to mentor local talent. Cathy Wright, VP of Partnerships & Innovation at Digital NEST, highlighted the effectiveness of the earn-and-learn model in addressing youth employment challenges, noting that providing paid experience, mentorship, and credentials within communities prepares young people for wealth-building careers and a more equitable future.
Participating companies span various sectors including technology, education, social services, and environmental organizations. Climatize hosts Julian Guerrero as a Video Production Intern, while Nurbli employs Yuliana Morales-Galvan as a Software & Development Intern. X Academy, Mission Hill Creamery, Siena House, Go Ask Alice, Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery, Innovation Within, Clean Oceans International, and Senior Legal Services all participate with interns specializing in marketing, social media, UX design, video production, and communications roles.
Malina Long, Business Development and Programs Manager at Santa Cruz Works, expressed enthusiasm about the talent and energy interns bring to local companies, predicting their impact will ripple across the community for years to come. The partnership between Santa Cruz Works and Digital NEST represents a model for community-driven workforce development that strengthens local companies, diversifies the talent pipeline, and ensures the next generation can build meaningful, sustainable careers within Santa Cruz County. This approach demonstrates how targeted public funding combined with nonprofit expertise can create lasting economic and social benefits for communities.
