Welcome to
Headstream
Youth Collective

Through the Youth Collective, we don't just collaborate with young people; we elevate them to new heights, helping them boost their confidence, celebrate their cultural diversity, and unlock their creativity, especially BIPOC, Latino, and LGTBQIA+ communities

Join us!...

In the movement to nurture a generation of confident, culturally enriched, and creative young leaders who are shaping a safer digital world for our collective future

Our Youth Co-Creator Club is a dynamic 5-month virtual program designed to position BIPOC, Latinos, and LGBTQIA+ youth as co-creators of digital products. As co-creators, you will:

$2K

stipend to support your participation in the program

Collaborate

with the Headstream Accelerator innovators to co-create technologies that center youth well-being

Join

sessions that enhance your skills in emotional literacy, cultural wealth, problem-solving, and innovation—sparking creativity and building peer relationships.

Unleash

your imagination to drive innovation, transform ideas into reality, and co-create better technologies for young people.

Learn more and apply here!

The impact of our work

+90

youth professionals have participated in Headstream

NEW POLICIES

at YouTube, Twitch, and State Digital Equity boards have been created

user-centered and inclusive products have been co-designed with Headstream’s innovators

12 out of 24

youth professionals either secured an internship or a part-time job or found a mentor

16 of 24

youth advisors consider their participation with Headstream a great addition to their college application

43%

of innovators improved their approach to target BIPOC, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ youth communities through the youth programs

Read Our Impact Report

Testimonials

The most significant change I experienced from my participation in Headstream is the strengthening of my leadership skills and confidence.

-Co-Creator, Maryam Zoweil

Our work with Headstream youth made us totally rethink our privacy policies

-Roblox.

We created our first bibliotherapy demo with the support of our youth co-creators.

-Backpack Health, Hafeezah Muhammad

How to get involved

Are you a young person interested in improving the digital world and advocating for your generation?

Join our 2026 Waiting List!

Waiting List

Are you an individual, or organization working directly with young people and who are dedicated to improving their mental and emotional well-being?

Work with us!

Are you an edtech, digital health, or social tech company wanting to collaborate and/or co-create with young people?

Work with us!

Current programs

Co-Creator Club

Join our 2026 Waiting List

Past programs

Youth Consultant Program

A 3-month program that empowered youth professionals to serve as consultants for national-level organizations dedicated to improving youth well-being. This initiative enabled them to actively participate in co-creation and influence key stakeholders, including state policymakers and healthcare providers.

Learn More

Collab Lab

A two-month program that united six young talents with tech professionals from the largest social media and gaming companies like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook to create a safer online space within the tech sector.

Learn More

Y2I Incubator

Our 3-month virtual Incubator program empowered young talents to bring their digital ideas to life. Six teenagers across the US received lectures and hands-on experience in mental wellness, inclusive design, business essentials, and purposeful design.

Headstream has continuously sought opportunities to provide platforms for young people to be thought leaders and to integrate their ideas with organizations that value their contributions. Here are some of the partners we have worked with:

Apply Today and Become a Co-Creator in 2025!

As a co-creator, you'll take center stage in the dynamic transformation of emerging technologies by collaborating closely with innovators in the ed-tech, digital health, and social tech sectors. Your role involves:

Offering insights
Actively participating in co-design processes
Co-creating alongside these innovators to shape impactful technologies.

You’ll be part of a program that extends beyond product testing into co-designing and participating in curated workshops that foster peer-to-peer relationships, creativity, and ignite radical imagination. This program is your platform to lead and inspire change in the digital landscape. We firmly believe that nothing should be for youth without youth.
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Join us in putting youth voices at the forefront of change and redefining youth involvement for a more equitable and just world!

Benefits & Participants' Expectations

Financial Support: Get a $2000 stipend for your active participation in a 5-month virtual program
Co-create: Work with innovators who are crafting a digital product dedicated to enhancing teen wellness in one of the three key domains: social technology, education tech, and digital health
Explore: Dive into meaningful dialogues with your innovators, delivering purposeful feedback to ensure their innovations resonate, engage, and genuinely serve youth

Grow: Immerse yourself in the Headstream community, actively engaging in workshops and embracing a growth mindset as you journey through your role as a youth co-creator
Inspire: Let your experience inspire you to sculpt the future you envision
Lead: Cultivate invaluable skills and assets, equipping you to become a respected thought leader offering perspective and value to your community
Communicating and Showing Up Responsibly:
- Commit to Attendance: Regular participation is essential for building relationships and gaining the most from the program. Aim to attend all workshops, co-creations sessions, and meetings you commit to
- Engage Actively: Bring your ideas, questions, and insights to discussions. Your unique perspective enhances the collective experience and helps tailor solutions that truly benefit youth
- Respect Deadlines: Communicate proactively if you encounter challenges meeting commitments
- Practice Accountability: Take ownership of your contributions and interactions
- Be open to feedback and willing to learn from both successes and setbacks
- Foster Inclusivity: Embrace diverse perspectives and create a welcoming environment for all participants. Your respect and support can foster collaboration and innovation

Participant’s Expectations

Time Commitment: 7-8 hours total

Join Us If You Are

Somebody who not only meets expectations but loves to push boundaries with their ideas
A hard worker with a sprinkle of curiosity, color, and vibrancy with a dash of love for learning and making an impact
You don’t have to be the social butterfly of the group, you just gotta be your authentic self
A dedicated team player who's always up for the challenge
An optimist, seeing the digital realm as the playground for a brighter future in teen well-being
Always ready to dive headfirst into brainstorming, ready to cook up some wildly innovative and imaginative ideas
Fearless in voicing their opinions - we want to hear what's on your mind!
Maybe you have an interest in being a creator or want to learn more about entrepreneurship, innovation, the future of technology, and overall youth wellness

Eligibility

Young people from all backgrounds (ages 13-19)

Currently reside in the United States of America

Submit your application here

FAQ

Do I need prior experience to participate?

No prior experience is needed. All we ask is that you bring your unique perspective, creativity, and willingness to learn. Whether you’re new to co-design or already interested in innovation and technology, this program is designed to meet you where you are.

What can I expect after submitting my application?

After you submit your application by March 2nd, 2025, we will review it and notify selected candidates for interviews. All applicants for the Co-Creator Club will receive a status update by April 1st, 2025

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When will I get the stipend?

Each Youth Co-Creator will receive a $2000 stipend for their active participation in the 5-month program. The stipend is provided to support your commitment and contributions to the co-creation process. You will receive it at the end of the program.

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What type of innovations am I going to help co-create and work on?

You’ll work with innovators developing products in three key areas: social technology, education tech, and digital health. These products are designed to support teen well-being and could include apps that promote positive social interactions, mental health tools that offer resources for stress and anxiety management, or educational platforms that enhance learning and emotional resilience. By contributing your insights, you’ll help shape solutions that resonate with youth and make a lasting impact. Here are some impactful innovations that the youth in our program have contributed to: Kalda, Backpack Healthcare, Selfsea, Astro Studios.

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What can I expect to gain or learn from this program?

You will learn valuable skills such as digital literacy, cultural wealth, and problem-solving. You’ll collaborate with innovators to co-design impactful technologies, build peer relationships, and enhance your leadership abilities. By the end of the program, you’ll be equipped to inspire and drive change in youth well-being. Almost all of our youth report an increase in their capacity and interest in entrepreneurship.

What happens if I can’t attend a session or miss a deadline?

We understand that challenges can arise. If you're unable to attend a session or meet a deadline, just let the program organizers know in advance so we can make arrangements. To get the most out of the program, it's expected that you attend all sessions, but we do allow up to two absences if needed.

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Welcome to Headstream Youth Collective