Lead with purpose.
Build confidence, communication, teamwork, accountability, and ownership. Fellows develop a personal “why” that connects their interests with community action.
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Youth leadership + resource access
Resource Fellows
Young people.
Real community knowledge.
A hands-on fellowship that helps high school students understand community needs, research local resources, and use their voices to advocate for change.
2026 cohort · Applications closed
Who it is forHigh school students, ages 16+
CommunitiesYonkers, the Bronx + Manhattan
2026 formatThree core in-person sessions + independent work
The purpose
Youth voice belongs
in community solutions.
Young people see the challenges in their neighborhoods every day. Resource Fellows gives them tools to investigate those challenges, understand the support that exists, and communicate what they learn.
The program brings leadership development and resource access together. Fellows practice research, professional outreach, active listening, community mapping, and presentation skills through work connected to real community needs.
The aim is twofold: build young people’s capacity to lead and strengthen Surmount’s ability to share clear, useful information with New Yorkers.
Core learning pillars
Four areas of growth.
Know where to turn.
Learn how community systems work and how to identify, check, and organize services that support individuals and families.
Listen and advocate.
Practice respectful conversations, active listening, gathering community feedback, and explaining local needs clearly.
Make the work useful.
Turn research and reflection into resource profiles, community maps, and a final presentation that connects learning to action.
The 2026 learning model
From a question
to a community perspective.
- 01
Explore community issues
Build relationships, examine root causes, develop personal “why” statements, and choose issues to investigate.
- 02
Map and verify resources
Research services, contact organizations, document access details, and practice outreach and active listening.
- 03
Develop a presentation
Connect evidence with lived observations, practice storytelling and advocacy, and reflect on what could improve in the community.
The current cohort uses three core in-person learning sessions, supported by research, assignments, and communication between sessions. Current participants receive session details directly from the program team.
An investment in an emerging model
The 2026 pilot.
$6,000Sparkplug Foundation grant supporting the program
6fellowship places in the funded program design
3core in-person learning sessions
The grant was awarded in December 2025 for the 2026 program. These figures describe program funding and design, rather than completed participant outcomes.
Intended outcomes
What fellows are
working toward.
The 2026 fellowship is in progress. The program is designed to develop practical skills and useful community contributions.
For each fellow
- Stronger communication, collaboration, and public-speaking confidence.
- The ability to identify, evaluate, and explain community resources.
- Experience with research, outreach, and advocacy.
- A portfolio of work and reflections that connects personal growth with community needs.
For the community
- Better-documented information about local services and how to access them.
- Youth-informed perspectives on barriers, needs, and gaps in support.
- Contributions to Surmount’s resource-sharing work and community conversations.
Quality and learning
Useful information.
Meaningful participation.
Fellows learn to check more than whether an organization exists. Resource research considers services offered, eligibility, location, hours, cost, languages, and the steps someone needs to take to get help.
Fellow contributions go through Surmount’s review process before information is shared publicly. This gives young people real responsibility with team support and quality checks.
Participation, completion of assignments, resource-documentation quality, presentations, and fellow reflections are key areas for understanding the pilot’s progress and improving future delivery.
Explore the public resource directory →For donors, foundations, and community partners
Make participation possible.
Help youth lead.
Support can help cover fellow stipends, transportation, learning materials, refreshments, and the workshops and coordination that turn a youth program into an accessible learning experience.
Completion-based stipends recognize fellows’ time and contributions. Transportation support helps reduce the cost of participating in person.
Fellowship questions.
Who is the program for?
High school students ages 16 and older who are interested in their communities, willing to learn, and ready to contribute to a team. The 2026 program design focuses on students from Yonkers, the Bronx, and Manhattan.
Are applications open?
Applications are closed for the 2026 cohort. Contact contact@wesurmount.org to ask about future opportunities. Future dates and application details will be announced when confirmed.
What are fellows expected to do?
Attend scheduled sessions, complete independent work, participate respectfully, communicate with the program team, and contribute to research, resource documentation, reflection, and the final presentation.
Is participation supported?
The program includes support for participation, including transportation assistance and a stipend tied to successful participation and completion. The team provides current cohort requirements and arrangements directly to fellows and families.
How can a funder assess progress?
Contact Surmount to discuss the fellowship’s design, funding needs, current implementation, and available reporting. The pilot’s intended outcomes are presented separately from funding and participation-design figures on this page.
Build the next generation of community leadership
Help possibility take shape.
Support Surmount’s programs and the people who bring them to life.