Applications to join Cohort six of Youth Contingency: Filipinx Student Wellbeing
Conference Internship is due November 1, 2026. Apply here. 

Youth Contingency: Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference Internship
Spring 2027 | Cohort Six

Youth Contingency Interns 2022, Christian S. & Jesa R. co-hosting the 1st annual "Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference." Photographed by Michelle Lapitan (2022).

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Established in 2022, the Youth Contingency: Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference Internship is a pathway program designed for 11th and 12th grade alumni of the Buong Loob program, who are interested in deepen their understanding of Filipina/o/x American youth mental health, identity, and culture through youth participatory action research. Youth Contingency Interns take on the central role of planning, organizing, and hosting the Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference—an annual event hosted by the Filipino Mental Health Initiative-San Francisco and fellow community partners. This youth-led mental health conference center student wellness, celebrates Filipina/o/x culture, and fosters collective healing in our community.
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Youth Contingency Interns 2026 celebrating their last meeting session.

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Commitments & Eligibility

PROGRAM TIMELINE
Mandatory Orientation
Thursday, December 10th, 2026 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (ONLINE)

Program Cycle
18-weeks; December 10, 2026 through May 13, 2027

ELIGIBILITY

• Graduated from Buong Loob Internship
• Identifies as Filipino or Filipina/o/x American
• Lives in San Francisco
• Taken an Ethnic Studies course or has work/volunteer experience with organizations whose mission is rooted in social justice, health equity, or mental health
• Demonstrate interest in community mental health, youth wellbeing, health equity, or culturally responsive programming. 

INCENTIVES

• $500 gift card stipend for completion of program
• 11th & 12th graders earn college credit through San Francisco State University's Step to College Program
• Optional certification in teen Mental Health First Aid training course
• College and career exploration in the fields of psychology, public health, education, and social work
• Develop skills in public speaking, event planning, budgeting, and community engaged research
• Build a professional network and work experience in community health​​

Buong Loob Interns at the 4th Annual Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference at San Francisco State University. (Photo taken by Brandon Bungcayo, 2025).

Buong Loob Interns & Youth Contingency Interns certified in teen Mental Health First Aid. (Photo taken by Harvey Lozada, 2024)

"Ang Pag-Unawa ng Ating Kabataan: A Youth-Led Workshop for Adult Allies" facilitated by Youth Contingency Interns Dan, Lewisa, and Miyamarla at "Pagsasaya ng Ating Pamana-5th Annual Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference 2026. (Photo taken by Manong Ben.)

MEETING LOCATION & TIME
Program meetings are in-person at a school campus or community center in San Francisco every Tuesday from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM.
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​There are no options to participate virtually.  Participants will also be required to attend off-campus events. Program leaders will share calendar dates in a timely manner. Please take note of the varying dates and meeting locations listed below and plan accordingly.

[1/12/27, 1/19/27, & 1/26/27] Community center location pending 
[Feb 2027-May 2027]  High school campus location pending

STIPEND INFORMATION
Participants will receive a $500 gift card stipend, split into two payments. 

PAYMENT #1: $250 in March 2027 (9-week mark)
PAYMENT #2:  $250 in May 2027 (end of program)

​Application Due Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified of admission to the program by Monday, November 9, 2026.

Download flier here.

Apply

Ate Trina singing karaoke courtesy of TNT Traysikel at the 2nd annual Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference 2023.

Highlight Video
​​5th Annual Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference 2026 
April 25, 2026 at San Francisco State University's College of Ethnic Studies

Highlight video created by Kuya Alvin Dizon (2026).

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A post shared by Buong Loob - San Francisco (@buongloob)

Testimonials

"After attending the first-ever Filipinx Student Wellbeing Conference, as well as being part of the group that contributed to the planning, I learned there really are adults genuinely willing to know how to reach out to their children and help them [with] their mental health. Attending this conference reassured me that Filipinos are really still about "unity". It reminded me that we, Filipinos. are still willing to help each other out and be there for each other as a community when needed. To say that the conference and its planning was successful is an understatement!" -FSWC Youth Contingency Intern

“The youths’ talambuhay (stories of their life) helped me remember that even through trauma and suffering is [passed] down to us we are still deserving of love. Our trauma does not define us and we are in charge of our own narratives. I saw the healing of generational trauma right before my eyes. Y'all are everything that embodies Ethnic Studies and more. Through your presentation, I learned that many Filipinos are bounded by the word ‘family’ and the idea of it, so much that they sacrifice their own well-being for them. I learned that it is possible to build your own idea of family and you get to choose who is your family and who you allow into your community.”  -FSWC Adult Ally Attendee

"By playing an active role in the conference, I learned how to face the things that were taking a toll on my mental and spiritual health rather than avoiding them. I think a lot of the topics we touched on were some things that really needed to be addressed in the Filipinx community. When I was presenting, I felt like I was relearning the topics I was going over. I got a deeper dive into Filipinx culture and history. I felt that through our connection and culture, we are capable of building something bigger than ourselves. Speaking about it to others who can relate to me made me feel like I let go of a heavy weight that was weighing me down and kind of preventing me from growing. By hearing some feedback from the adults who attended my presentation I learned about the importance of community. It was very comforting when I was hearing everybody’s stories and support. It felt as though I knew them my whole life. I feel like I’ve never felt that amount of support from anybody. It was powerful." - Buong Loob Intern/FSWC Workshop Facilitator

Meet our Team

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Founders

​[email protected]

 Harvey Lozada (he/him), MSW, PPSC
Youth & Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Specialist

Harvey Lozada is a fourth-generation FRISCOPINO.  He is an educator, community worker, healer, filmmaker, photographer, and visual storyteller. Harvey is the son of Filipino immigrants from the islands of Luzon and Mindanao and traces his familial roots in Yelamu, occupied Ramaytush Ohlone territory (San Francisco, CA) as far back as the 1920s. He is a humble culture bearer and descendant of traditional medicine keepers such as albularyos and manghihilots from the so-called Philippines. Harvey’s healing journey began with community activism and engaging young people in the juvenile justice system. For almost two decades, he has dedicated his life to disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline through youth leadership development and culturally responsive counseling services for children and families throughout San Francisco. 

[email protected]

Verma Soria Zapanta (she/her), M.Ed.
Director of Wellness Education & Youth Programs

Verma Soria Zapanta is an educator, wellness practitioner, and mental health education
consultant based in Yelamu, the ancestral homelands of the Ramaytush Ohlone people. A proud Friscokid with roots from the Visayan islands of the Philippines, she is grateful to serve the communities that raised her. Her background in ethnic studies, youth leadership, community mental health, and Philippine folk medicine continues to inform her role as the Director of Wellness Education and Youth Programs at the Filipino Mental Health Initiative–SF.  Verma is an instructor in various Mental Health First Aid courses, curates FMHI-SF's annual Filipinx Healer Workshop Series in honor of Filipino American History Month, and is the co-founder of Buong Loob, a mental health education internship, serving Filipina/o/x American identified youth in the Bay Area . Verma is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at San Francisco State University to explore Buong Loob's community responsive framework to supporting Filipinx youth belonging, connection, and wellness.

Young Adult Ally (Y.A.A.) Interns

Meet our Young Adult Ally (Y.A.A.) Interns of Spring 2026. Y.A.A. Interns are Buong Loob Alumni​ and proud SFUSD high school graduates, who are interested in pursuing careers in the fields of mental health, holistic wellness, and/or education. Y.A.A. Interns support the Buong Loob community with classroom facilitation, peer mentorship, and more

Rejine Rhianna Barles (she/her)
Buong Loob 2024; Youth Contingency Intern 2025, 2026

I'm a first-generation daughter of Filipino immigrants. A Filipinx-American born and raised in Ramytush Ohlone territory (San Francisco, CA). I am a current student at City College, majoring in psychology in hopes to be a speech-language pathologist one day. I graduated Buong Loob in 2023, joined the Youth Contingency in 2024, and now come back as an Adult Ally in 2025. As a mental health advocate, I continue to return to this program to educate and destigmatize mental health within the Filipinx community.

What does mental health meant to you?
Mental health is interpreting and embracing all feelings, positive and negative. It’s important to normalize discussions around wellness and mental health within our Filipinx-American community to encourage the youth to seek assistance, finding solace and guidance through one another if they could not find it within their own families. By educating and supporting future generations to come, we can break the cycle of generational trauma and end the stigma surrounding mental health.

​Annika Franco (she/her)
Buong Loob 2023; Young Adult Ally Intern 2024-2026, CCSF Social Work Intern-Spring 2025

Annika Franco is a daughter of Filipino immigrants, from the province of Pampanga, Philippines, and was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Annika graduated from Lowell High School in 2023. A transfer student from City College of San Francisco, she currently attends San Francisco State University and is majoring in Social Work. Annika was Buong Loob's first Social Work Practicum Intern in 2025 and has served as a Young Adult Ally Intern since graduating high school. Annika believes in the importance of mental health advocacy in the Filipino/a/x community and is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

What does mental health meant to you?
Mental health means learning to understand our own individual limits and boundaries. It affects every part of who we are—our mental, physical and social well-being. It's important for us to normalize discussions around wellness and mental health in order for us to heal and rely on each other as a community. These discussions will help foster a safe space for the Filipinx/Filipinx American community to break the cycle of trauma and move toward healing. We can support each other on this journey while also encouraging self-compassion and collective care.

​Allanah Guevara  (she/her)
Buong Loob 2022; Young Adult Ally Intern 2023, 2024, 2026

Allanah is a second-generation Pinay with ancestral roots in Pampanga and Ilocos. She was born and raised in the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone (Excelsior District of San Francisco) and graduated from Balboa High School. She is currently attending City College of San Francisco, majoring in Kinesiology, and has earned a Certificate of Completion in Asian American Studies.
Allanah has experience in program facilitation, event planning, youth mentorship, and teaching PK-12 students in public schools. In her senior year of high school, Allanah served as an intern for Buong Loob, a mental health education internship for Filipino and Filipina/o/x American-identified high school students.  As a Buong Loob youth intern, she created culturally responsive mental health education materials and artwork geared towards an adult audience. Coming full circle, Allanah continued her journey with Buong Loob as a “Young Adult Ally Intern,” serving as an instructional aide and mentor to high school students. She has also worked as a Program Leader for the YMCA of San Francisco, supporting elementary and middle school youth through enrichment activities, including art, physical education, and study skills.

Ways to Show Your Support
Monetary or In-Kind Donations

​Lay a donation via Paypal or Venmo and add the note "BUONG LOOB." For in-kind donations (i.e.: school supplies, snacks, etc.), please contact Verma Zapanta ([email protected]).  Buong Loob Internship Programs are sponsored by the Filipino Mental Health Initiative of San Francisco, a program of the Filipino American Development Foundation (501c3). Donations are tax-deductible. Maraming Salamat!