2026 host businesses
- Dr. Brisby / The Training Room — sports medicine
- Tri Valley Trophies — graphic design, trophy assembly, engraving and production
- Santa Barbara Zoo — camp counselors
- Jeff Shelton Architect
Endowment for Youth Committee
Endowment for Youth Committee
Our Work
Providing underrepresented students access to programs, events and activities that can stimulate their curiosity and growth in becoming the best version of themselves.
Open to all students. The Career Pathways Conference, Summer Paid Internships, Tournament of Champions and Post-Secondary Scholarship Award are open to all students, regardless of race, color or gender.
Program 01
Paid summer internships for South Coast secondary students of all backgrounds, with a focus on low- to moderate-income families. In 2026, seven students completed internships and earned $500 each.
Our goal is to place 20–25 teens next summer. Student membership is $50 per year, and strong evaluations make interns eligible for post-secondary scholarships. A trip to Blizzard Entertainment in Irvine is planned for students interested in animation and film.
Program 02
For African American and Black-identified students in grades 7–12 attending South Coast public and private schools.
Program 03
Honoring African American and Black-identified K–12 students on the South Coast. The inaugural awards were held April 2, 1988 at the Elks Lodge in Goleta. Traditionally held at UCSB, the celebration drew 500–600 guests, followed by a community picnic at Manning Park the next day.
Coming in 2027: Campbell Hall, UCSB. Date to be announced.
Program 04
March 13–14, 2027 · UCSB & Dos Pueblos High School
Bernard Hicks
June 26, 1951 – May 16, 2025
Named for Bernard Hicks (June 26, 1951 – May 16, 2025). From his Brooklyn roots through Hartnell College and UCSB, Bernard devoted his life to young people: at the Goleta Boys Club in the 1970s, as athletic director of the Westside Boys & Girls Club from 1999, as Dos Pueblos girls JV coach, as co-founder of Dream Chaser Elite and coach of the Santa Barbara Legends — and for nearly 50 years as host of “Ital Soundz” on KCSB.
In the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s, the Tournament of Champions was one of California’s elite youth basketball tournaments. We are proud to bring it back in Bernard’s name.
Program 05
February 17–24, 2027
125 African flags line State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, donated by the Hutton Parker Foundation.
Sunday, February 21, 2027 · Center Stage Theater, Paseo Nuevo
A poetry recital open to South Santa Barbara County high school students. Recite “Still I Rise,” “Equality,” “Phenomenal Woman” or “Caged Bird.”
Prizes: $500 / $300 / $200. Registration is $15. Contact Cliff Lambert for a registration form.
Program 06 · New Partnership
Saturday, November 7, 2026 · Lompoc High School · Free for grades 7–12
Presented in partnership with the Lompoc Teen Center, one of North County’s leading teen nonprofits, founded by EYC President Cliff Lambert. In its first two years (2024 at Cabrillo High School and 2025 at Lompoc High School), the all-day conference drew about 150 Lompoc secondary students. This year, Santa Barbara and Goleta students join them: an expected 100–125 more, for a total of 250–300 students meeting 20–25 career professionals. For some students, the conference leads to internship opportunities in both North and South County.
Explore careers in: medicine, dentistry, cybersecurity, emergency fire services, sports medicine, accounting (CPA), hotel and resort management, animal science, business administration, engineering (electrical, petroleum, environmental and civil), law, union trades, financial literacy, fashion and modeling, and Goodwill Mission Services Workforce.
Presenting sponsors: Lompoc Teen Center and the Endowment for Youth Committee. EYC will champion the conference every year.
Event sponsors: Chase Bank, Allan Hancock College, Santa Barbara Foundation, G.A. Fowler Family Foundation, Lompoc Unified School District and Santa Barbara Airbus.
Partnerships & Collaborations
Beginning in fall 2027, EYC will collaborate with the SBCC Umoja Program, Santa Barbara Juneteenth and the Santa Barbara High School Black Student Union.
We have all received support in some way. And we believe that access to support and opportunities begins with nurturing the mind.
Get Involved