Empowering Youth. Transforming Communities

Launched in 2016, Fit2Lead is an award-winning, evidence-based program that provides paid internships, leadership development, and mentorship to youth ages 15–19 in high-need communities. Now an integral part of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s and the Board of County Commissioners’ Peace and Prosperity Plan, in 2025 the program employed 750 youth across 13 county departments and 35 community partners.

Proven Impact

Fit2Lead treats community violence as a public health priority by focusing on prevention and intervention. Independent, peer-reviewed research confirms the program’s profound success:

• Reduced Juvenile Arrests: A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that zip codes implementing Fit2Lead saw a significant, measurable reduction in youth arrests compared to non-program areas.
• Improved Mental Health: Research indexed on PubMed demonstrates that Fit2Lead’s combination of recreation, meditation, and life skills stabilizes adolescent mental health and disrupts downward behavioral trajectories.
• Increased Resilience: Ongoing cohort studies continue to validate how the program mitigates risk, improves academic and social trajectories, and builds long-term physical and emotional resilience.

Shaping Future Leaders

The Fit2Lead Paid Internship Parks Program goes beyond a paycheck. Teenage participants gain critical life management skills—including budgeting, emotional regulation, and strategic goal setting—that build a firm foundation for adulthood and future career paths.

The Parks Foundation directly enhances this experience by funding specialized enrichment. In 2025, Foundation-supported art instruction introduced participants to Adobe Express and digital animation. This creative cohort allowed students to design original graphics, collaborate with peers, and master digital tools, adding a powerful dimension of self-expression to their professional growth.