Santa Cruz Partnership Creates Workforce Opportunities Through AHSC-Funded Internship Program

The collaboration between Santa Cruz Works and Digital NEST is creating meaningful 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 represents a significant step toward equitable economic development by supporting paid internships for underserved youth while simultaneously benefiting local businesses.

The AHSC grant program, part of California's broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aims to create healthier communities by linking affordable housing with sustainable transportation and economic opportunity. This internship program directly advances that mission by connecting local talent to local employment opportunities, thereby reducing commute distances and fostering a more resilient regional economy. The program's structure demonstrates how environmental sustainability goals can align with workforce development needs.

Through this partnership, ten local businesses have welcomed interns for six-month, paid positions, with each participating company receiving up to $10,000 in grant funding to compensate their interns. This financial support lowers barriers for small businesses and startups that want to mentor emerging talent but may lack the resources to fund internship programs independently. The program's design ensures that both interns and businesses benefit from the arrangement.

The division of responsibilities between the two organizations creates an efficient system for program implementation. Santa Cruz Works focuses on recruiting 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 at https://digitalnest.org.

Bonnie Lipscomb, Director of Economic Development and Housing for the City of Santa Cruz, emphasized the program's transformative potential, stating that the grant levels the playing field for residents who have faced systemic barriers to employment while eliminating cost concerns for businesses wanting to mentor local talent. This dual benefit addresses both supply and demand sides of the workforce equation.

Cathy Wright, VP of Partnerships & Innovation at Digital NEST, highlighted the effectiveness of the earn-and-learn model as a proven solution to youth employment challenges. By providing paid experience, mentorship, and credentials within their own communities, the program prepares young people for wealth-building careers and contributes to a more equitable economic future. Malina Long, Business Development and Programs Manager at Santa Cruz Works, noted the significant impact these interns are making across the local business community.

The current cohort includes diverse placements across multiple sectors, with interns working in roles ranging from video production and software development to marketing and communications. Companies like Climatize, Nurbli, X Academy, Mission Hill Creamery, and several others are participating in the program, demonstrating broad community engagement. This partnership between Santa Cruz Works and Digital NEST represents a replicable model for community-driven workforce development that strengthens local companies, diversifies the talent pipeline, and ensures the next generation can build meaningful, sustainable careers in Santa Cruz County.