Youth Fellowship
Paid summer fellowships empowering young people to lead mental health advocacy in their communities.
Jared's Fund Youth Fellowship
The Jared's Fund Youth Fellowship (JFYF) provides a paid six-week summer fellowships to current and rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as recent high school alumni, committed to challenging the stigma around mental health issues. Created in partnership with the Community Foundation of New Jersey, Jared's Fund Youth Fellowship Program began with its inaugural cohort of Fellows in 2019.
Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend to pursue an original project of their own design. Projects can be artistic, research, advocacy or direct service oriented. Fellows can work either independently, or as part of a team of up to three persons, focused on ending the stigma around mental health. We believe in the power of creative thinking.
Throughout the six weeks, Fellows participate in leadership training, a weekly speaker series with leaders across the field of mental health, get introduced to national networks, and are connected to the JFYF Alumni community. No specialized expertise or specific academic background is required — Jared's Fund actively seeks young people of all races, ethnicities, and gender identities, and especially encourages those with personal or lived experience with mental health issues to apply.
Program Highlights
- $2,500 stipend for individuals or equally shared among project team members
- Open to current and rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as recent high school alumni (must be able to get to Montclair, NJ for the weekly meetings during the six-week program)
- Projects can be nonprofit partnerships or original youth-created work
- Weekly Speaker Series, leadership training, and national network introductions
- Connection to the JFYF Alumni network
- Each applicant must identify a mentor to support their project over the summer
Jared was most often the smartest person in a room. He was a deep thinker with a curious mind and when he opened his mouth to speak, you wanted to listen. He was incredibly committed to his friends and the people he loved. Jared wanted people to be their best selves and would often share his advice on how to do so. To understand Jared was to see his brilliance.