Spring/Summer ‘25

It’s been a while since we’ve shared an update, and so much has happened with CATCH since our last post. The past few months have been full of growth, creativity, and experiences that our youth will never forget.

Our job-readiness classes have been in full swing, and the kids have really stepped up. They’ve been learning everything from how to write resumes and prepare for interviews to financial literacy and teamwork. Watching their confidence grow week by week has been incredible. You can see it in the way they talk about their goals and in how they support each other. They’ve participated in several paid gigs to utilize their skills, but we’re still working on securing dependable partnerships for internships. This is an area that we are focusing on heavily in this next chapter, and urge our community to step up.

One of the most exciting things we did this season was create a clothing brand called SWAP. This project was entirely led by the kids — from coming up with the name and logo to creating designs and figuring out how to market it. It’s been amazing watching their creativity come to life and seeing them realize that they can build something that represents them and speaks to their community.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, we’ve been able to sponsor two students in the drivers training program, helping them take one more step toward independence. Three more students are right behind them and will be eligible soon, which is something we’re all looking forward to celebrating.

And of course, we had some incredible adventures. We went snowboarding in the mountains, and for some of the kids, it was their first time even seeing snow. We spent a day at the lake swimming, laughing, and just enjoying summer together. And we traveled all the way to San Diego, where we explored, tried new foods, and made memories that we’ll be talking about for a long time. These are just a few of the group activities that we’ve had the opportunity to embark on the past few months.

These moments remind me why we do what we do. It’s not just about classes or programs — it’s about giving these young people opportunities to experience life in ways that spark something inside them. I’m so proud of how far they’ve come and so excited for what’s ahead. SWAP will be dropping its first collection soon, and our multimedia program is growing, giving the kids even more ways to express themselves and tell their stories.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us through donations, encouragement, and showing up for these kids. None of this would be possible without you.