This summer, Bay Area Bright Futures led three days of programming each week at the West Oakland Youth Center.

Mondays: Financial Literacy

We delivered age-specific lessons on topics such as saving, smart decision-making, the power of marketing, and understanding how individuals fit into their local and global communities. Each session included activities and crafts—like painting piggy banks—to make financial concepts engaging. Lessons were tailored by age: younger students practiced counting coins to understand savings, while older groups explored the impact of compounding interest.

Tuesdays: Culinary Education

We taught hands-on, no-cook culinary classes featuring rice cake art, smoothie bowls, nachos, and oat balls. Despite limitations on heat and ingredients, each session combined food preparation with creativity. Every student chopped, mixed, and plated their own dishes, building confidence and teamwork skills along the way.

Wednesdays: Career Exploration

We hosted a weekly speaker series with professionals from a variety of industries—including an electrician, banker, rancher, and boat captain—offering students firsthand insight into real-world career paths and possibilities.