What happens when young people step into the places where the future is being created?

For more than 40 participants of the YES (Youth Engagement for Success) program, a recent educational tour to Silicon Valley became much more than a field trip. It became an opportunity to expand their vision of what is possible for their own future.

Organized by Ukrainian American House in partnership with PHI, the tour introduced youth ages 10–14 to some of the world’s most influential centers of innovation, including Stanford University, Google, and Apple.

For many participants, these places had previously existed only in videos, books, and online articles. Walking through Stanford’s historic campus, experiencing the culture of innovation at Google, and seeing firsthand the environments where revolutionary products are created transformed those ideas into something tangible and real.

The impact was immediate.

Many students began speaking not only about what they had seen, but about who they might become.

Some imagined themselves as future engineers. Others became interested in entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, product design, or technology development. For the first time, many could clearly picture themselves pursuing careers in fields that shape the future of our world.

“Before this trip, Silicon Valley felt like something far away. Now it feels like a place where people like me could belong.”

“I loved Stanford. It made me realize how many people started there and went on to change the world. It made me want to work harder toward my own goals.”

“Google was my favorite. It showed me that innovation can be creative, exciting, and fun.”

Beyond the technology itself, participants experienced something equally important: the mindset behind innovation.

They saw communities built around curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and the courage to solve difficult problems. They discovered that world-changing ideas often begin with young people who are willing to dream bigger and work harder.

The visit also highlighted the importance of education, leadership, and lifelong learning. Participants learned that success is not simply about talent, but about persistence, discipline, and a commitment to continuous growth.

This Silicon Valley experience was designed as a pilot initiative within the YES program, and it is only the beginning.

Future educational tours will become increasingly specialized, allowing participants to explore specific career pathways and industries through direct engagement with professionals, entrepreneurs, engineers, researchers, and innovators.

The YES program exists to help young people discover their potential, build confidence, develop leadership skills, and gain exposure to opportunities that can shape their future.

Implemented by Ukrainian American House in partnership with PHI, the program invests in a generation that will one day create new technologies, launch new businesses, solve complex challenges, and help build stronger communities.

If this trip demonstrated anything, it is that young people do not need all the answers today.

Sometimes they simply need an opportunity to see what is possible.

For many of these students, Silicon Valley became exactly that opportunity.

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