Sarah Bell is the Chief of Industry Exposure and Experience, and John Cosper is the Director of Employer Partnerships at YouthForce NOLA. They join us to share how their team is connecting high school students in New Orleans with paid internships that build both career readiness and confidence. Through 60+ hours of soft skills training and over 100 hours of real-world work experience, YouthForce is helping young people gain clarity on their futures—whether that means college, technical training, or entering the workforce directly.

We talk about what makes YouthForce’s model so effective, how it supports both students and employers, and why it’s about more than just a summer job. From financial literacy to long-term mentorship, this conversation highlights the power of work-based learning to change lives and build a stronger New Orleans.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

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