Intern Spotlight

Time Well Spent: How Riviera Ell’s Internship Deepened Her Purpose—and Amplified YouthBridge’s Impact

This summer, YouthBridge Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis welcomed Riviera Ell, a Pershing Fellow in Nonprofit Leadership through Washington University’s Center for Career Engagement. From day one, Riviera brought energy, curiosity, and a deep commitment to youth and community—leaving a mark on both the organization and her own path forward.

Making a Measurable Impact

Riviera’s internship centered on evaluating the Heritage Grant, a $75,000 award distributed over three years to two youth-serving nonprofits annually. Designed to build long-term sustainability, the grant includes use of the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT) to track organizational growth. Riviera analyzed three years of grantee data—applications, reports, and CCAT scores—creating a master spreadsheet to visualize progress. “It helped YouthBridge see how the grant moved the needle year over year,” she explained.

Connecting the Dots of Community Impact

For Riviera, the experience was deeply personal. “Habitat for Humanity built my family’s home when I was six,” she shared. “That introduced me to nonprofits—and inspired me to participate in neighborhood cleanups.”

The internship gave her a new view: how nonprofits work behind the scenes to create lasting change. “I used to pass Casa Juvenile Center every day without knowing what they did. Now, I understand the systems that bring support to life.”

Riviera’s biggest insight? How vital collaboration is. 
“Growing up, I heard ‘it takes a village.’ Now I see that village is an entire city of nonprofits and networks working together—and YouthBridge helps make that possible.”

YouthBridge: A Launchpad for Purpose

Riviera embraced every opportunity to learn, contribute, and grow. “You’re included in meaningful conversations, supported by a team that truly cares, and given real work—not just tasks.” Additionally, the experience expanded her network and her vision for the future. “YouthBridge connected me with leaders and changemakers I never imagined meeting. If I could do another 10 weeks, I would!”

Her parting reflection captures the spirit of her internship:

“Time that you enjoyed is never wasted.” – Riviera Ell