Retired high school counselor and teacher Ellen Sommers knows the value of after-school programs, connecting with young people and investing in the next generation.
“I was taught as a child the importance of volunteering,” says Sommers, who volunteers about 16 hours per month for Bright Futures for Youth.
She started volunteering with Bright Futures for Youth at the Distance Learning Center, which opened in the early months of the COVID pandemic and provided students a safe and supervised place for remote learning at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
The experience opened the door to more opportunities for Sommers – and the organization, which has expanded its efforts and programs the past three years.
“This is a well-run program … that serves a range of needs,” she says. “It’s a vehicle for greater things.”