NEXT-GEN TRAILBLAZERS
YOUTH AT WORK
Student Nonprofit Boosts Career Readiness, Supports Local Businesses
ATHARV RASTOGI Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board & Firehouse Park Resident
While most high schoolers were busy juggling their homework, school activities and social lives, Magnolia Park resident Riya Jonnala decided to take a different route. Rather than focusing solely on her school responsibilities, she devoted her time to building something greater—a nonprofit that empowers local youth with real-world experiences while supporting small businesses.
What started as a small volunteer booth has evolved into Youth4LOCAL, a nonprofit helping more than 350 students develop interview skills, build resumes, collaborate with businesses and explore career paths.
Where the Idea Began The idea wasn’t born in a single moment. Through her experience as a taekwondo instructor and DECA leader, Riya discovered that students often excel academically but struggle with confidence, professionalism and communication skills. She said teachers and students alike realized that academic knowledge alone isn’t enough to prepare them for the future world of work. To create change, Riya joined forces with classmates Ava Datta and Nitya Shankar. (Nitya now attends University of Washington, while Ava is a senior at Issaquah High School alongside Riya.) The first project they undertook was assisting the City of Issaquah with its “Issaquah Loyal” booth at Salmon Days. She said the goal was very easy—encourage buying local and give volunteers the opportunity of community interaction. The effect, however, was as fast as lightning. Students were energized by the real-world work. Business owners welcomed the support. Parents wanted to hear about the next chance to get involved. That energy turned into Youth4LOCAL, which launched in summer 2023.
A Nonprofit Built on Real Experience Youth4LOCAL believes in a very simple principle: young people develop their skills best through practical work. Rather than teaching business scenarios through classroom roleplaying, the organization offers students direct exposure to companies with actual needs. Bootcamp, the nonprofit’s main program, is designed to facilitate the partnership of teenagers and local businesses for valuable projects.
The benefits are clear for the students and the businesses, Riya said. Students obtain real-world experiences, develop real skills and gain achievements in their resumes that make them more attractive to employers and colleges. As a result, businesses gain new ideas and ready-to-implement projects. It is a mutually beneficial system, which is partially why it’s so effective.
Building from the Ground Up Riya said the nonprofit’s early days were challenging. Emails to businesses went unanswered, students didn’t know the organization existed and early outreach efforts failed to reach interested teens. However, Riya viewed Youth4LOCAL as a long-term effort rather than a quick school assignment. She designed a detailed outreach strategy, started social media activities, collaborated with teachers and refined her presentation to local business owners. Over time, the organization went from flying under the radar to standing out in a big way. Now, businesses are responding. Students are signing up without prompting. Parents are asking for ways to get their children involved. What began as a trial has evolved into a community learning hub for all.
Leading Through Uncertainty As director of outreach for Youth4LOCAL, Riya took on responsibilities she had never faced before—emailing business owners, scheduling student meetings, explaining career concepts to middle and high schoolers, and answering questions even when she didn’t have all the answers.
“It wasn’t always easy, but that was the point,” she said. Riya’s leadership was instrumental in building a nonprofit that addresses the community’s real needs while equipping students with the confidence and real-world skills employers often find lacking. Her message to youth in the community is straightforward: “Be okay with not knowing all the answers about the future [and] embrace every moment and interaction of your life as an opportunity...Even if it doesn’t seem like it, your next great opportunity could be hiding in something completely unexpected.” Photo left: Youth4LOCAL hosts a Pitch Perfect Workshop at Pacific Cascade Middle School, teaching students how to create and practice an elevator pitch. Photo right: Youth4LOCAL co-founders: Ava, Nitya and Riya. Photos courtesy of Riya Jonnala
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