Bright Futures for Youth, Author at YubaNet

Jennifer Singer, Bright Futures for Youth Executive Director

Bright Futures For Youth Cofounder and Executive Director Jennifer Singer to step down from organization at the end of the year

by YubaNet and Bright Futures for Youth July 7, 2026July 7, 2026

Leah Ellis, Program Manager at The Friendship Club

Bright Futures for Youth Names Leah Ellis as Program Manager at The Friendship Club

by Bright Futures for Youth June 24, 2026June 24, 2026

GRASS VALLEY, Calif. – 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 – faced those issues and many others with friendship, hard work, resiliency and Bright Futures for Youth’s The Friendship Club, an after-school program that has helped shape their future. The Friendship Club will celebrate and honor the soon-to-be high school graduates during the organization’s 25thannual Graduation and Scholarship Dinner 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 in the Bright Futures for Youth campus backyard in Grass Valley. “These young women have overcome so many extraordinary issues, in addition to the already often-overwhelming experience of just being a teen, from the emotional challenges to the physical changes,” said Jennifer Singer, Executive Director of Bright Futures for Youth. They are the latest group of young women to graduate from The Friendship Club, a 32-year-old program that has provided academic, emotional and social support to nearly 1,000 sixth- through 12th-grade girls during the past three decades, including more than 100 during the past school year. The Friendship Club offers an after-school program, hands-on life-skills classes, in-person group meetings and get-togethers, and even college tours and summer camps. The program also provides a range of services, including healthy meals, nutrition and cooking classes, clothing and access to health care and counseling, if needed. The Friendship Club also assists young women with college applications and financial assistance – and offers its own scholarships for graduates enrolled in college or career technical educational training. The scholarships are possible thanks in part to a generous investment by David and Barba Nurse to the organization’s endowment in the memory of their mothers and to encourage others to contribute to honor important women in their lives. “The Friendship Club addresses so many of the needs that girls and young women face. Thanks to the generosity of our community and supporters, these graduates are stepping into a future full of new opportunities, meaningful careers and lasting success," said Mark Heine, President of the Bright Futures for Youth Board of Directors. The Friendship Club is one of three core programs of Bright Futures for Youth, an organization that serves several hundred young people every month. The nonprofit also includes the NEO Youth Center and SAFE, a program that assists youth experiencing homelessness in western Nevada County. Whether attending college or trade school or entering the workforce, the Bright Futures for Youth program has helped pave the way for a stronger foundation – and future – for the graduates. “Friendship Club graduates have learned the importance of community and leadership, and how to succeed,” Singer said. “They also know their own value, and what they offer the world. We are so proud of these young women.” The 2026 Friendship Club graduating class are: Alexia (Nevada Union High School): An avid reader and writer, Alexia plans to attend Sierra College, pursue a master’s degree in library science and become a librarian. Aryanna (Nevada Union High School): Aryanna, who has perfect attendance in the program, plans to become a criminal justice attorney. Callie: (Nevada Union High School): Callie enjoys connecting with her friends and bringing her stories to life through vivid imagery and plans to pursue a career in cosmetology. Colleen (Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning): Colleen, who has volunteered to represent The Friendship Club at many events, plans to attend trade school and become a massage therapist. Nya (Bear River High School): Nya expresses herself through crafting, scrapbooking and flower bouquet making and plans to pursue a career in medical diagnostic sonography. Riley (Nevada Union High School): An accomplished musician and the Nevada Union band president and drum captain, Riley plans to attend Sierra College and become an anesthesiologist. About Bright Futures for Youth These six young women will graduate from high schools in Nevada County – and The Friendship Club. The Bright Futures for Youth program has helped the soon-to-be graduates learn many life skills, make lifelong friends and prepare them for the next step, whether it’s college, trade school or full-time work.

Six Young Women To Graduate From Local High Schools – And The Friendship Club

by Bright Futures for Youth May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

Bright Futures for Youth’s Cinderella Project boutique, which provides free formal wear to students, will hold a special event on Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Native Wren boutique in downtown Grass Valley owned by Wrynna Kohler.

Cinderella Project to open in downtown Grass Valley for special event, in time for prom and graduation

by Bright Futures for Youth April 11, 2026April 11, 2026

Cinderella Project boutique

Native Wren to hold fundraiser for new Cinderella Project space

by Bright Futures for Youth July 25, 2025July 25, 2025

FriendshipClubgrads

Friendship Club Graduation Gala to honor 12 young women on May 21

by Bright Futures for Youth May 15, 2025May 15, 2025

Kitchen crew Interns Bright Futures for Youth

Bright Futures for Youth trains the next generation of employees thanks to county intern program

by Bright Futures for Youth December 28, 2024December 27, 2024

NEO Youth Center at Bright Futures for Youth

Bright Futures for Youth will hold a Community Open House on Oct. 22 to celebrate milestones and outline new projects

by Bright Futures for Youth October 14, 2024October 14, 2024

Heart of Gold departure

Heart of Gold gravel race Oct. 5 will host hundreds of riders and raise money for mental wellness services for teens in Nevada County

by Bright Futures for Youth September 26, 2024September 27, 2024

Bright Futures for Youth's The Friendship Club will celebrate eight young women (left to right) Kiersten, Laney, Tracy, Makenna, Ivie, Haley, Julianna and Adriana, who are graduating from the program during a Graduation Gala on May 15 at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.

Eight young women to graduate from Bright Futures For Youth’s Friendship Club Program

by Bright Futures for Youth May 10, 2024May 10, 2024

Grass Valley Mayor Jan Arbuckle presents NEO's Halli Ellis-Edwards Woman of Persistence Award 032024

NEO Program Director receives California Cities Award

by Bright Futures for Youth March 28, 2024March 28, 2024

Bright Futures for Youth’s Cinderella Project has moved inside of Sammie’s Nifty Thrift Shop at 535 E. Main St. in Grass Valley. The Cinderella Project offers free formal clothes, from dresses to suits, for young people in Nevada County. At least 100 students receive free clothes from the organization every year.

Cinderella Project moves – Grand Opening Feb. 24 at Sammie’s Nifty Thrift Shop in Grass Valley

by Bright Futures for Youth February 16, 2024February 16, 2024

New NEO Youth Center Opening at Bright Futures for Youth

Bright Futures for Youth to hold grand opening of new NEO Youth Center on Oct. 26

by Bright Futures for Youth October 20, 2023October 20, 2023

Teens walking in the woods

Bright Futures for Youth’s SAFE program will count the number of youth experiencing homelessness in Nevada County from May 9-11

by Bright Futures for Youth May 4, 2023May 4, 2023

Bright Futures for Youth’s NEO program will open the NEO Youth Center in late summer 2023, providing a range of activities and services for youth, from a comfortable place to complete homework to playing games such as chess and video games. NEO has announced a capital campaign to raise $500,000 needed for the center.

Bright Futures For Youth to open new NEO Youth Center at its offices on Litton Hill in Grass Valley in late summer 2023

by Bright Futures for Youth December 6, 2022December 6, 2022

Bright Futures for Youth will celebrate Lights on Afterschool on Oct. 25

Bright Futures for Youth celebrates Lights on Afterschool on Oct. 25

by Bright Futures for Youth October 24, 2022October 24, 2022

Teens in downtown GV

New Drop-in Center for Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Grass Valley opens tomorrow

by Bright Futures for Youth September 28, 2022September 28, 2022

More than 200 racers competed in the inaugural Heart of Gold Gravel in 2021. More racers are expected at this year’s event on October 8.

Heart of Gold gravel race Oct. 8 will host hundreds of riders and raise money for mental wellness services for teens in Nevada County

by Bright Futures for Youth August 31, 2022August 30, 2022

youth hub summer day camp

Bright Futures For Youth offers two summer day camps for Nevada County youth

by Bright Futures for Youth June 17, 2022June 17, 2022

These three young women (left to right) Lux-Aaliyah Brown, Gracee Butrick and Ireland Brown will graduate from high schools in Nevada County – and The Friendship Club.

Three young women will soon graduate from high school – and The Friendship Club

by Bright Futures for Youth May 23, 2022May 23, 2022

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