Former foster youth Ariel Baker-Kamai said the job training and communication skills, including mock interviews, gave her the confidence she needs for the workforce. After she requested an internship at a hospital where she worked in the labor and delivery department doing clerical work, she also had a rare opportunity to assist during a birth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey took an interest in me. They got to know me as a person,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n
Baker-Kamai is now gaining experience at the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children\u2019s Services, where she\u00a0works part time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have skills that can be good at any entry level (job), which is not something I had before,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve been able to figure out what I enjoy, what I\u2019m good at (to) shape my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
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During its 10 years, Santa Clara County\u2019s Intern & Earn program has assisted 3,306 young people, including 950 to 1,000 foster youth. Photo courtesy of Santa Clara County.<\/p>\n
Daniel Girard, an employment program supervisor with CalWORKs employment services, said the Intern & Earn program is empowering, helping interns see themselves in the workforce and opening doors to long-term employment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt provides opportunities to try out new roles, grow self-confidence, earn their own money and motivate interns to continue their education,\u201d he told San Jose Spotlight.<\/p>\n
The program grew out of the county having a conversation in October 2023 with current and former foster youth, including Dontae Lartigue, founder of The Hub<\/a> and Razing the Bar. Two former Santa Clara County supervisors \u2014 state Sen. Dave Cortese<\/a> and Cindy Chavez<\/a> \u2014 started the program.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want them to be able to dream about the things they want to do,\u201d Lartigue told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWe want young people to explore as many things as they possibly can and find their passion, find the thing that makes them wake up with a drive every morning and be determined to accomplish something in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n This year, Razing the Bar<\/a> hosted eight interns, helping them gain experience in administration, social media, policy and advocacy. About 16 interns completed internships there during the past five years, and Lartigue requested 20 more for advocacy work.<\/p>\n The county continues to prioritize investments in the program, District 2 Supervisor Betty Duong<\/a> said, adding about 350 youth and young adults participate each fiscal year. Duong said employers understand these youth may need a little extra help, may miss work from time to time because of court dates or show up late because of transportation issues.<\/p>\n Duong has had five interns working in her office and sees foster youth as the county\u2019s children.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to continue to show up for them \u2026 to be part of their journey, their growth,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cTheir lives have been largely defined by instability. (The internship) means the potential for them to get that step closer toward self-sufficiency and economic independence.\u201d<\/p>\n Participants in the program have worked for the county, small businesses, doctors, dentists, animal shelters, restaurants, museums and more. Interns have stocked food pantries and assisted with distribution, prepared baby clothes for newborns and emergency kits used in the 2017 Coyote Creek flood<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg said it\u2019s in the county\u2019s best interest to help build the workforce. She said by preparing interns for employment, the program helps break cycles of poverty and create strong, engaged members of society.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen consistent year over year growth in participation, high completion and employment success rates. It does strengthen a pipeline into county careers,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight, adding 250 youth are working across eight county departments this year.<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/interactive-321838904008.png\")
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