Join us on Friday Mornings at Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel
Youth Committee
Maria Sol Casas
Co-Chair
Justin Wang
Co-Chair
“Empowering Youth. Building Leaders. Strengthening Communities..”
At PAUR, we believe that investing in young people is one of the most powerful ways to shape a better future. The Youth Services Committee is dedicated to creating meaningful, hands-on opportunities that equip youth with the tools to lead, serve, and thrive.
By partnering with schools, Interact Clubs, and youth-focused organizations, we foster leadership development, civic awareness, and community engagement—all while strengthening the bridge between Rotary and the next generation of change-makers.
Our Programs
Interact Clubs
We sponsor and mentor Interact Clubs at Palo Alto High School and the Palo Alto and Silicon Valley community, supporting them with guidance, leadership training, and funding for service projects. In 2024, we proudly chartered a new Interact Club and deepened relationships with District 5170 and Area 12 leaders.
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)
Each year, we sponsor youth to attend the transformative RYLA leadership camp. In 2025, four students—including those from East Palo Alto Academy and Castilleja—gained leadership tools and lifelong friendships.
Youth Speech Contest
In partnership with the EPA Bayshore Rotary Club, we organize an annual Youth Speech Contest that builds public speaking and critical thinking skills.
Our 2025 contest featured seven student speakers—some of whom were later featured on local TV!
Career Dinners & Mentorship
Through career dinners, panel discussions, and volunteer-led events at schools like EPAA and CCRMS, we give students firsthand exposure to real-world career paths and help build their networks and confidence.
Youth Community Services (YCS)
From Chalk Art Festivals to MLK Day of Gathering, we collaborate with YCS to encourage youth participation in local service. We help staff booths, sponsor speakers, and promote volunteerism across several high schools.
New Voices for Youth
We support this documentary storytelling program that empowers young people to explore social issues through video. Their team regularly joins PAUR meetings to share their work and inspire Rotarians.
Who Benefits
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High school students from East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and surrounding communities gain access to mentorship, leadership training, scholarships, and service-learning opportunities.
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Schools and educators receive support for extracurricular programs and career readiness initiatives.
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The community benefits from a generation of engaged, informed, and inspired youth ready to lead and serve.
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Rotarians and volunteers experience the joy and impact of nurturing future leaders through direct, meaningful engagement.
How To Get Involved
Please fill out an interest form and one of our committee members will be in touch.
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Volunteer to mentor a student, participate in a career dinner, or judge the speech contest.
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Join the committee—whether you have a few hours or want to be more hands-on, your voice and ideas are welcome.
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Sponsor a student to attend RYLA or fund a service mini-grant for an Interact Club.
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Attend an event to see the impact of our programs firsthand.
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Partner with us if you’re part of a school, nonprofit, or community organization serving youth.