Kaimore continued its mission of providing real-world opportunities for underserved youth this summer through its paid internship program at the Monterey Park Farmers’ Market. The program, open to participants ages 16–29, offered interns the chance to manage and operate a full shaved ice booth—an immersive introduction to entrepreneurship, customer service, and financial responsibility.
The internship is part of Kaimore’s expanding Market Ready Program, designed to break the cycle of generational poverty by equipping young people with workforce readiness, mentorship, and practical business experience. While running the shaved ice booth, interns gained direct skills in customer service, inventory and materials management, creating foot-traffic engagement, teamwork, and handling daily sales—key components of small business ownership.
This shaved ice internship represents phase two of the Market Ready curriculum, which includes Financial Literacy masterclasses, a Business 101 Course, Pitch Day Competition, and the upcoming Side Hustle Accelerator. The program is funded in part by the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Hilton Foundation, providing accessible pathways for young people to explore career tracks, build transferable skills, and develop their own business concepts.
Many interns reported increased confidence in communication and leadership, noting that it was their first time overseeing an operation from beginning to end—prepping materials, attracting customers, managing cash flow, and delivering quality service.
According to Executive Director Joyce Lam, the goal of the farmer’s market track is to help youth build confidence, discover their strengths, and improve soft skills in a supportive environment.
This summer’s strong response highlights the demand for experiential learning opportunities across Los Angeles. Kaimore plans to grow the internship next year by adding more spots, expanding to additional farmers’ markets, and enhancing mentorship for youth interested in developing their side-hustle ideas into sustainable income streams.
