Our Impact
Students at a Career Fair we organized. The fair included 72 workshops on 15 topics and 151 representatives of 80 employers for 2,300 students.
“As a teenager, I didn’t really understand the value of a mentorship. Harraseeket was my first introduction to this kind of relationship and it was invaluable. My mentors were there at such a crucial time for me, as I was nearing the transition from high school to college and figuring out how to become an adult and find a career. I was able to learn about stuff I didn’t even know about and get really useful answers to my questions that came from their years of experience. I now know the importance of mentors thanks to my first experience with Harraseeket.”
Students responding on whiteboards to big life questions at a workshop
Since 2017, we’ve reached…
…hundreds of young people with:
1-on-1 and in small group mentoring throughout Northern Virginia
Forums, workshops, panels on career and life topics that matter
A curriculum that takes students through a series of steps designed to help them develop a personal profile, conduct research, develop goals and action steps, and then take action through networking and immersive career path experiences
Internship fairs, vocation fairs and career fairs in Arlington , McLean and Herndon
We’ve supported students and young adults in faith communities and secular communities and in public schools (Wakefield HS, Arlington Tech and Herndon HS).
Our programs are open to all, but we’re particularly excited about reaching those who benefit from guidance from an additional, nonjudgmental adult in their lives, our curriculum, and at-work experiences that open their eyes to new possibilities. .
Our partners Arlington Independent Media and Youthcast Media Group recruiting students for internships.
Harraseeket provides stipends to help remove economic barriers to gaining valuable work experience that opens their eyes to new possibilities.
“[Harraseeket] saw an overarching problem of access to resources that hinders our youth, particularly those representing the underserved and economically disadvantaged, from reaching their full potential. Unlike others, who see the problem and walk away, Harraseeket saw the problem and created a multi-tier program to address it, which, as designed, addresses several areas of focus ... to promote equity.”
…more than 100 employers offering students work experiences to open their eyes to new possibilities:
40 employers attended an internship fair that produced dozens of internships
145 representatives from 80 employers engaged in 1-on 1 conversations with 2,300 students at a career fair
Employers conducted 72 workshops in one day, on 15 different career-related topics
Dozens of students have landed internships from programs we support — in some cases with stipends for those facing economic barrier to unpaid internships
Dozens of employers have spoken on career panels and at career workshops throughout the year
Countless “informational interviews” with students to share their career stories
We’ve developed relationships with employers representing a wide variety of sizes, types, and career clusters, from nonprofits to startups to large companies and local, state and federal government offices
Mentors from community organization recruited by Harraseeket work with students to prepare them for internships
Two great examples of student work we’ve supported
Check out this podcast and this video. They were created by students supported by Harraseeket internship stipends.
“[We’ve] been working with Harraseeket to offer journalism internships to local high schoolers. It’s been clear from our very first meeting how deeply committed the organization is to providing meaningful guidance and rich opportunities to local youth. The support they’ve offered ... has already helped us reach a bunch of new kids—but just as important has been the support they’ve provided in the form of brainstorming, networking with other groups and educators, and the sharing of ideas, resources, and best practices.”
…scores of mentors helping young people imagine their future:
We created an online mentor directory to give young people the opportunity to connect with more than 150 mentors
We are building a directory of mentors to support “informational interviews” in a wide variety of careers
We supported dozens of students in 2024 in small groups led by 10 mentors
We’re now recruiting 1-on-1 mentors for our new Imagining Your Future program.
“I have served as a mentor/guide for youth and young adults with Harraseeket... I have thought time and again how important it is for EVERY young person to have a supportive environment to have deep, no pressure self discovery conversations. It is often too late in our lives that we realize we don’t have to run the same “race” as everyone else in life, but can be happier if we are intentional about the path we chose for ourselves. Harraseeket helps bring that conversation forward in the lives of young people and allows them to arrive at their own conclusions informed by open ended questions and discussions with mentors who are at different phases of that journey themselves.”
“My mentor conversations have been really helpful. They’ve suggested some other career paths that I wouldn’t have considered before. I’d been getting career tunnel vision— where I could only picture myself doing a few things— my mentor helped me break out of that thinking. I’ve returned to job searching with a renewed energy.”
A workshop for Herndon HS students interested in career mentoring. Three of the panelists are Herndon HS graduates.
Bill Wilson, a Harraseeket mentor, recruiting students for career mentoring at a career fair. 157 students signed up that day. More than 80% of those we talked with signed up. We asked them a simple question: “How would you like to have an adult in your life to help you with your career planning — in addition to a teacher or parent?”
…communities that want to support young people:
Community organizations — including clubs, employers, faith communities and nonprofits — have been inspired by our work, and are excited about how Harraseeket opens doors for them to help young people.
We see our role for these organizations as “lowering the threshold,” to make it easier for them to support young people — with their time, their experience and wisdom, and their financial resources.
We believe encouraging intergenerational connections and guidance and support changes lives. Both for the young people and for those who support them!
“What sets Harraseeket Foundation apart is its dedicated focus on fostering equity, specifically targeting populations at risk. Their efforts ... aim to create a more inclusive and supportive community.”
Representatives of Unifirst Financial and Gleaner Life Insurance of Herndon present a contribution to Jim Seevers, Harraseeket’s Mentor Coordinator
“Harraseeket is doing remarkable work in our community, inspiring young people— particularly young people who are underserved and economically disadvantaged—to envision their future, and providing access to experiences and resources that help shape meaningful, productive, civically-impactful lives. Harraseeket performs a unique and important role for our kids.”
… people who believe that community organizations can change the lives of young people
We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response to our mission from a wide variety of community organizations and members.
We’re a Top-Rated Nonprofit for the third year in a row!
Check out our Great NonProfits reviews page and leave us a quick review HERE!
