News - Bright Futures for Youth

Bright Futures for Youth and our programs are frequently in the news, and we would like to share the reports and stories with you. Please sign-up for our emails and receive the latest news. We promise to respect your email – and privacy.

Summer Fun Times

Day and overnight camps were part of a jam-packed summer for Bright Futures for Youth, with adventure, learning and fun.

Bright Futures for Youth Cofounder and Executive Director Jennifer Singer to Step Down From Organization at the End of the Year

Development Director Sienna Crawford will oversee the nonprofit that connects with about one of every 12 young people in western Nevada County Community leader and longtime youth advocate Jennifer Singer will step down at the end of the year as Executive Director of Bright Futures for Youth, an after-school program that started with a handful […]

Leah Ellis named Friendship Club Program Manager

Ellis joins organization that has been empowering and educating girls and young women for more than 30 years. Leah Ellis, a former local substitute teacher whose educational background includes clinical counseling and psychology, has been named Program Manager at The Friendship Club, an after-school program that makes a life-changing difference for youth in Nevada County. […]

Six Young Women to Graduate From Local High Schools – and The Friendship Club

Bright Futures for Youth program empowers and educates girls and young women by helping them develop life skills and ensuring access to much-needed services Teens face numerous challenges, from hard-to-meet expectations at school to peer pressure, bullying and a lot of stress. Six young women – each with their own accomplishments, challenges and stories – […]

The Cinderella Project to Offer Free Formal Clothes to Students on April 18 at Native Wren in Downtown Grass Valley

The boutique will hold a special event so high school and junior high school students can find just-the-right clothes for proms, graduation and other occasions GRASS VALLEY, Calif. – The Nevada County Cinderella Project boutique special event will be held Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. inside Native Wren, a popular apparel, décor […]

Bright Futures for Youth changes the lives of young people – and is an investment in our community

The Union, November 26, 2025 Submitted by Bright Futures for Youth Several dozen girls enjoyed The Friendship Club’s annual friendsgiving dinner, where staff and volunteers prepared a holiday meal. Donors and sponsors make the annual event possible. More than 100 young people attended the recent friendsgiving dinners at the NEO Youth Center in Grass Valley. […]

Panelists convene to tackle youth homelessness issues

The UnionJennifer Nobles Staff Writer Nov 21, 2025 Bright Futures for Youth offered detailed information including panel testimonials on its SAFE Program to a crowd of about 100 community stakeholders gathered in the Litton Building Thursday. The program detailed what the organization has determined to be a critical and fast-growing problem surrounding an increasing number […]

Our after-school programs just got more fun – and educational

Hundreds of kids participate every month at Bright Futures for Youth Dances, jam sessions and open-mic nights. Art and music classes. Financial literacy, how to get a job and other life-skills workshops. College tours and pumpkin patch visits. And, of course, lots of fun with friends. Back to school means back to Bright Futures for Youth’s […]

How we spent the summer (busy and not boring)

What a summer! Thanks to you! Hikes and rock climbing. Guitar and drum lessons. Bowling and movie nights. Day and overnight camps. It’s been a busy, crazy and jam-packed summer for Bright Futures for Youth. Almost 400 young people – from sixth-grade girls entering The Friendship Club to kids who just needed a safe and […]

Cinderella Project Fundraiser to be held at Native Wren August 1 for the Construction of a New Space in Boutique

Free dresses and formal clothes to high school students for special events will be available soon in downtown Grass Valley Native Wren will hold a fundraising event 6 p.m. Friday, August 1, to help with the cost of construction for the soon-to-open Nevada County Cinderella Project boutique in downtown Grass Valley. Bright Futures for Youth’s […]