Summer Search
first began
in 1990 in
the Bay Area!

4,000+ high school
sophomores have chosen
to become summer
searchers

ABOUT US

Summer Search first began in the Bay Area in 1990 and is now proud to serve more than 4,000 young people across all nine Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.

Student/Family FAQs
Get Involved

Throughout 2026, Bay Area students had mentors in their corner, people they could to throughout the year for one-one-one support, honest conversations, and connections with their peers. 

STUDENTS SERVED & MAJOR MILESTONES

283 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

481 POST-SECONDARY PARTICIPANTS

~3,500 BAY AREA ALUMNI

100% GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL

96% ACCEPTED TO A 2- OR 4-YEAR COLLEGE

89%  ARE OR WILL BE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE

Read our 2026 Impact Report

Hear fromSummer Searchers

Opal C.

“There’s not one way to decide your journey after high school and go about the college experience. So I’m glad that I realized that and had someone there like Jocelyn [my mentor] to help me along the way.”

  • 2019Joined
    Summer Search
  • Opal aspires to speak multiple
    languages and travel the world     Fun fact
Read more about Opal’s post-secondary journey

Hear fromSummer Searchers

Eric Trinh Chu

“Summer Search alums are starting nonprofits, running for local government, building lives around creative passions, changing careers, caring for family, healing from burnout, and so much more.”

  • Eric recently interviewed 100 (+
    counting!) alumni as part of his
    role as Summer Search Alumni
    Ambassador     Fun fact
  • Summer Search Alumni
    Ambassador and Development
    Operations Associate     What are they up to now?
Read more about Eric

Hear fromSummer Searchers

Alex Verheecke

“I see it as an incredible privilege to be part of a program that never sees me as someone who has left. I have never gone through a major transition in life past 10th grade without talking to my mentors, former mentors, our alumni director Seth, our founder Linda, or fellow alumni. It’s not a network, it’s deeper and more meaningful.”

  • 1999Joined
    Summer Search
  • Alex is a Summer
    Search referral
    partner!     Fun fact
  • Social studies
    teacher at San Rafael
    high school     Where are they now?

Join our Board of Directors

The Bay Area Board of Directors is a diverse group of volunteers dedicated to Summer Search’s mission. Board members amplify our purpose and provide new insights and fresh ideas for supporting young people in the Bay Area.

REACH OUT

Become an Annual Donor

Your annual support fuels our work to provide professional mentoring, summer experiences, and post-secondary and career support to more students each year.

DONATE NOW

Schedule a Call or In-Person Meeting

Want to learn more about how you can become more involved at Summer Search? Schedule a call with our Executive Director, Kenyon DeVault, or a member of our team to learn more about how you can support our work!

REACH OUT

Kenyon has
a rescue pup
named Levi!

Kenyon DeVault

Meet Summer Search Bay Area Executive Director, Kenyon DeVault! Kenyon is a San Francisco Bay Area native and has spent his career in nonprofit management and resource development, leveraging his lifelong propensity for relationship- and community-building into service of his values of social justice and equity. Watch his video and reach out to learn more about the expertise he brings to Summer Search!

2014

Joined Summer Search

Learning to be a basketball fan by cheering on the Golden State Valkyries

What Is Their Favorite Activity?

Kenyon DeVault

Meet Summer Search Bay Area Executive Director, Kenyon DeVault! Kenyon is a San Francisco Bay Area native and has spent his career in nonprofit management and resource development, leveraging his lifelong propensity for relationship- and community-building into service of his values of social justice and equity. Watch his video and reach out to learn more about the expertise he brings to Summer Search!

2014

Joined Summer Search

Kenyon has a rescue pup named Levi!

Fun Fact

Learning to be a basketball fan by cheering on the Golden State Valkyries

What Is Their Favorite Activity?

2026 Bay Area beyond limits

Whether you joined us in person, supported from afar, or cheered us on in spirit, thank you for being part of Summer Search Bay Area's Beyond Limits event. Together, we raised $600,000 and brought together hundreds of community members committed to opening doors for Summer Searchers.

Relive the evening and watch highlights from our speakers

JOIN US ON FEB 25, 2027 FOR BEYOND LIMITS

What we're up to now

Check out the latest events and happenings at Summer Search Bay Area! Click below to learn more or, if no events are scheduled right now, reach out to bayarea@summersearch.org to learn about other ways you get involved.

Events

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

  • 2027 Bay Area Beyond Limits

    Join us for an unforgettable evening at Beyond Limits, Summer Search Bay Area’s signature annual event! Together, we’ll celebrate the extraordinary young people at the heart of Summer Search and the community that makes their journeys possible: our alumni, families, supporters, partners, and friends. 

Need Answers? Check out these Questions Below!
What is Summer Search?
Summer Search is a year-round program that empowers young people to confidently pursue their vision of success during and after high school through mentoring, summer experiential learning opportunities, and post-secondary and career supports. We believe that all young people should have the support to pursue their purpose and secure their financial futures. Starting in sophomore year, students will be paired with a staff mentor and a group of peers for regular conversations where they will work together on building social emotional and leadership skills and exploring college and career options after high school. Students will receive support from our community as they journeys from high school through to launching their career.
Who is eligible to participate in the Summer Search program?
Sophomores who attend one of our partner schools (or are affiliated with one of our partners) and who meet our eligibility guidelines can apply to Summer Search. To be eligible for Summer Search, prospective students must be sophomores from a partner school and qualify for Free and Reduced lunch.
Do I need to pay to be a part of the Summer Search program?
No! Through the generosity of the Summer Search community, Summer Search is fully-funded (aka: free!).
How do I apply for Summer Search?
Ready to become a Summer Searcher? Click here!
Who are Summer Search Mentors?
Summer Search mentors are full-time, paid professional staff who are trained in social-emotional learning, critical consciousness development, college and career advising and trauma-sensitive practices. Summer Search mentors are unique in their backgrounds and skills coming into Summer Search. Some have previously worked as admissions counselors and others have worked with wilderness programs. Summer Search staff are united in their ability to see and center the strengths and voice of Summer Search students. All staff complete a background check before they are hired.
How does Summer Search ensure students are safe on their summer experiences?
Summer Search participants are awarded scholarships to participate in summer experiences after their sophomore and junior years. These experiences are opportunities for growth and connection that are both challenging and empowering. Traditionally, during the first summer, Summer Searchers go on a 2-3 week outdoor adventure in their home state or another state. Backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, and many fun connecting activities are some of the most common adventures that our students experience. To ensure the safety of all participants, Summer Search does not operate the summer experiences directly. Instead, we partner closely with the best professionals in the field who are specifically trained to lead summer programs for youth. We provide parents/families and students information about the program they will attend and be available to answer all questions about it.
What type of Summer Programming is offered?
Summer Search participants are awarded scholarships to participate in summer experiences after their sophomore and junior years. These experiences are opportunities for growth and connection that are both challenging and empowering. Traditionally during the first summer, Summer Searchers go on a 2-3 week outdoor adventure in their home state or another state. Backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, cycling, and sailing are some of the most common adventures that our students experience. The second summer is typically a cultural immersion/service (in the United States or abroad) experience, an academic program, or internship/career opportunity. Parents/guardians and participants will always have a choice about whether to participate in a summer experience.
What about the cost of attending college?
Summer Search staff will partner with students to find a good fit college (or explore an alternative pathway like technical school) and provide support in navigating the process of securing financial aid and scholarships to make college as affordable as possible. We take an individualized approach to advising participants on their post-secondary pathway to ensure that we are supporting each individual student’s goals and aspirations. The majority of Summer Searchers are graduating college with <$20,000 of debt as compared to borrowers between the ages of 25-34 with an average debt of $33,260.
How does Summer Search support my student's career goals?
Your student will join the Summer Search community and will have access to a national network of staff, alumni, board and corporate partners for professional development opportunities including career-based coaching, job shadow days, internship and job postings. These opportunities are offered via a private portal, Summer Search CONNECT, which your student will be invited to join.
What is the commitment from participants and families?
The power of this program comes from the combination of the depth of support provided by Summer Search and the mutual investment made by each young person in our program. Initially to enroll in the program, students and their parent/guardian will be asked to complete an application which includes providing information about your family’s financial picture. Once a student is accepted into the program, parents will be invited to talk with their student’s mentor over the phone, review materials about the program in your preferred language, and attend an orientation to share more details and answer questions. There are other opportunities for parents/guardians to connect with their student's mentor through the program, including attending events and meetings. There is no cost to participate in the Summer Search program.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please reach out to Brian Mertens at bmertens@summersearch.org
OUR COMMUNITY & REFERRAL PARTNERS

Our community and referral partners are critical to introducing us to new Summer Searchers! Click here to learn more about becoming a referral partner.

Arise High
Envision Academy
Life Academy
Madison Park Academy
Oakland High
Coliseum College Prep Academy
Mission High
Hayward High

Mt. Eden High
Tennyson High
San Rafael High
Novato High
DeAzna High
Richmond High
LPS Richmond

Become A
Summer Searcher Today!

Students, ready to discover your Power and Potential?
Join Summer Search for personalized mentorship, fully funded summer experiences, and a network of support as you shape your future. Your path to possibility begins here!

Apply Today!

Oakland

2201 Broadway, Suite 100, Oakland, California 94612

415.362.0500

bayarea
@summersearch.org

Photo of Golden Gate Bridge

Land Acknowledgement

Our Bay Area offices reside on the unceded land of the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, Graton Rancheria, Ohlone, Miwok, Muwekma, and Southern Pomo peoples, past and present. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.

We recognize this as just one step in acknowledging the history of forced removal of indigenous people from their land and our work toward racial justice.

We ask you to join us in acknowledging the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, Graton Rancheria, Ohlone, Miwok, Muwekma, and Southern Pomo communities, their elders both past and present, and future generations.

The Summer Search
Bay Area Team

Behind every student is a dedicated team of staff, mentors, and community partners who believe in their potential and work tirelessly to provide the support they need to succeed.

Join our Team!

Julia Barbano

Program Coordinator

Sonemani Bitna

Senior High School Program Mentor

Liz Carey

Senior High School Program Mentor

Jeannine Carter

Bay Area Board Member

Angela Chen

Director of Development, Bay Area

Amanda Cho

Senior Summer Programs Manager

Ty Curry

Bay Area Board Member

Kenyon DeVault

Executive Director

Romit Dey

Bay Area Board Member

Ron Duncan

Bay Area Board Member

Tony Huynh

Bay Area Board Member, Summer Search Alumnus

Pooja Kohl

Bay Area Board Member

Todd Krieger

Bay Area Board Member

Komal Lahiri

Bay Area Board Member

Austin Lim

Post-Secondary Mentor

Tom Lyons

Bay Area Board Co-Chair

Reyana Maguad

Senior Program Operations Coordinator | Bay Area

Amelia Hadi McKibben

Bay Area Board Member

Melany Cortes Mederos

Post-Secondary Mentor

Brian Mertens

Regional Program Director

Diane Pham

Post- Secondary Mentor | Bay Area

Marie Pierre

Bay Area Vice Chair, National Board Member, Summer Search Alumna

Gee Salas

Senior Post-Secondary Program Manager | Bay Area

Sonika Singal

Bay Area Board Member

Zavi Smith

Senior Program Manager

Carly Solberg

Outreach and Program Manager

Jamey Spencer

Bay Area Board Member

Gretel Tortolani

Bay Area Board Member

Jen Tribbet

Senior Program Associate

see what’s happening on ‘THE GRAM’!

Follow our journey