The Laurel Foundation Hosts At-Promise Youth Leadership & Career Confe

TEEN WORKSHOP - The Laurel Foundation will convene more than 50 teens (ages 14–17) for its Leadership & Career Readiness Conference, a half-day, hands-on workshop designed to equip at-promise youth (low-income, foster youth, youth from marginalized communities, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth at risk of HIV) with practical skills, mentorship, and pathways to higher education and employment. The conference will take place in Pasadena from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is seeking corporate partners to help fund the event.

For three decades, The Laurel Foundation has delivered cost-free, year-round educational, mental-health, and social-support programs to youth from marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ youth, foster youth, youth of color, low-income youth, and youth impacted by or at risk of HIV. Many of the teens who will attend the conference come from schools without fully resourced career centers, and from families who may not have the networks or know-how to guide a first job search. This conference is designed to close that gap in a single high-impact day, and to connect young people with adults who believe in their potential.

What the Conference Will Deliver

Participants will rotate through fast-paced sessions led by professionals from industry and higher education:

Career Readiness Intensive: Resume “reworks,” application tips, and mock interviews—with real-time, one-to-one feedback to help teens articulate strengths, demonstrate experience from school and community activities, and prepare for summer and part-time jobs.
Money Skills That Matter: Budgeting basics, saving strategies, and Credit 101 so teens graduate into adulthood with financial confidence.
Jobs of the Future: A guided look at emerging and accessible opportunities—from IT support and cybersecurity to content creation, healthcare pathways, trades, and green jobs—plus how to gain entry-level experience now.
College & Post-Secondary Pathways: Demystifying the college application and scholarship process, and exploring community college, vocational programs, apprenticeships, and certification routes that align with real wages and real careers.
Leadership & Life Skills: Practical workshops on communication, teamwork, and goal-setting that help teens build resilience and a support network they can rely on long after the conference ends.

Throughout the morning, youth will meet mentors, practice professional introductions, and leave with actionable next steps: an improved resume, a mock-interview scorecard, a starter budget, and a curated list of internships, programs, and scholarships.

“Our teens are brilliant and motivated, they simply need access,” said Margot Anderson, CEO of The Laurel Foundation. “With the right tools and champions, a first job or college acceptance becomes the first step in a lifetime of leadership.”

Why Corporate Sponsorship Matters

Corporate partners amplify impact in three concrete ways:

Direct Skill-Building: Volunteer professionals make sessions real, conducting mock interviews, reviewing resumes, and sharing authentic career journeys.
Exposure & Opportunity: Companies can offer job-shadow days, internship leads, tour invitations, and introductions that open doors for first-generation students.
Sustainable Programming: Sponsorships underwrite supplies, transportation, meals, and year-round follow-up workshops so learning continues beyond a single day.

Sponsorships may include on-site participation, brand recognition across event materials and social channels, and the option to host a skills station or career talk tailored to a company’s expertise (e.g., finance, healthcare, tech, media, hospitality, construction, sustainability).

A Call to Action for Los Angeles Businesses

The Laurel Foundation invites corporations, small businesses, universities, and professional associations to join as sponsors, provide volunteer facilitators, and help teens secure their first opportunities. Companies interested in financial literacy, workforce development, DEI, and community engagement will find a direct, measurable way to advance those commitments.

To become a sponsor or volunteer, contact Margot Anderson, CEO, at [email protected]. Media inquiries and partnership requests are welcome.

On November 15, a few hours of your time can change a young person’s trajectory. The Laurel Foundation is building a talent pipeline rooted in equity, resilience, and real-world skills, and there’s a seat at the table for every company ready to invest in the next generation of leaders.