There is no denying that COVID-19 has had a profound and ongoing impact on student learning both here and across the country. Post-pandemic, some late elementary-age students found themselves suddenly in middle school; and some middle schoolers suddenly found themselves in high school, often without the preparation they needed. Alarmingly, 17% of local teachers left the profession during the last school year alone, further complicating the return to in-person learning. Local nonprofits bridge the gap, providing affordable programming outside of school, advocating for and supporting social-emotional learning in school, and helping young people take ownership of their educational journeys. Because the rising cost of higher education has meant fewer students attending and graduating from college, post-secondary success programs, scholarship funds, and career training programs provide the support that young people need. Nonprofits also focus on the educators who guide our young adults, especially on the mental health challenges that both teachers and students continue to face. The results of all this hard work? They can last a lifetime.