• Tony Blair addresses the Santa Barbara Community
  • Engaged Preschool Teaching
  • CPR during a Masters of Disaster Lesson
  • School Food
  • Orfalea Early Childhood Director's Retreat
  • Jr. Chef Day
  • Kids Cook
  • Orfalea Outdoor Classroom Project
  • Local Harvest
  • Culinary Boot Camp
  • Paul speaks with President Bill Clinton
  • James Lee Witt speaks to Santa Barbara County
  • Learning Outdoors
  • Orfalea Early Childhood Directors Retreat
  • Main School Family Resource Center- Carpinteria, CA
  • Montana Yellowstone Expeditions
  • MYE Students hiking in Montana
  • Assemblyman Pedro Nava attends Preparedness Event
  • MYE Students at the Beach
  • Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center
  • Our Local Agriculture
  • Students eat food that they made
  • A Jr. Chef peels her tomato
  • A Jr. Chef peels his carrot
  • Playtime at local Family Resource Center
  • Playtime at local Family Resource Center
  • MYS Students visit the farm
  • Children at the farm
  • The Orfalea Family and Mr. Tony Blair
  • Getting creative outdoors
  • Junior Chefs checking out their final outcome
  • MYE Student having a good time
  • Student admiring local produce

Youth Development

The Orfalea Foundations support Youth Development programs that promote learning through direct experience and that support young people to become healthy, responsible, productive and engaged citizens. Such programs contain five elements:

  • Skill building opportunities
  • Connection with positive adults that is sustained over time
  • A sense of belonging
  • A voice in the decision making process
  • A sense of usefulness and competence

Generally, the Youth Development programs we support take place outside of the normal school day and are ongoing, not one-time events.

Below, please read about several programs the Orfalea Foundations have supported that fall within our defined commitments to Youth Development.

Montana Yellowstone Expeditions (MYE)

Montana Yellowstone Expeditions (MYE) MYE is an experiential education program for motivated youth aged 15-18 from Southern California, southwest Montana and other select locations in the United States. Created by the Orfalea Family Foundation, MYE programs seek to provide exceptional experiential opportunities that build skills for success in learning and in life.

For more information, click here.

Future Leaders of America

Future leaders of america Future Leaders of America, Inc. (FLA) provides leadership development, educational opportunities, and personal growth activities for low-income Latino youth and families. By utilizing peer-to-peer mentorship, Latino students have the opportunity to enhance academic achievement, engage in a healthy lifestyle, and strengthen family bonds and communication.

FLA clubs implemented in high schools encourage pro-social behaviors and provide role models, meaningful activities, and adult mentors for at-risk youth. Bi-annual Family Leadership Camps include both parents and teens in addressing issues such as self-esteem, college entrance, and the importance of family and values. These, along with many other activities, conferences and workshops, are a part of FLA's programs that have proven to build positive peer groups for youth and empower them with necessary skills to make healthy choices and succeed academically.

For more information, click here.

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria's mission is to empower girls and young women to achieve economic, social, and political success. They provide quality after-school and summer enrichment programs for girls ages 5 through 18.

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria continuously seeks to enhance and create new programs that will inspire critical thinking and progressive action in girls and young women's lives.

The Teen and Middle School Program implements specific programs and activities for young women ages 11 through 18. These include programs such as Economic Literacy/Mind Your Own Business, Dahlia Court Women, Career 101, and Girls Inc. Health Fair help to improve girls' self-confidence, leadership, independent living skills, healthy lifestyles, and effective communication.

For more information, click here.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History offers many educational experiences to our community, schools, and after-schools programs. One of the most successful programs, "Quasars to Sea Stars," gives local high school students the chance to gain valuable job skills and mentoring opportunities as they work alongside scientific staff and learn about research methodology, computer modeling, and effective public presentation techniques.

For more information, click here.