ABOUT US

Founded in 2003, Summer Search Seattle is now proud to serve more than 700 young people in Tukwila, Ken, Renton, and Highline.

Land Acknowledgement

Our Seattle office resides on the unceded land of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Duwamish, and Muckleshoot peoples, past and present. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.

We recognize this as just one step in acknowledging the history of forced removal of indigenous people from their land and our work toward racial justice.

We ask you to join us in acknowledging the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Duwamish, and Muckleshoot communities, their elders both past and present, and future generations.

Who we serve Who we serve | Our community & referral partners | Our impact arrow_forward arrow_back Highlights from the Seattle Gala Our community & referral partners Our impact Honored by Philadelphia city council arrow_back arrow_forward Who we serve Who we serve | Our community & referral partners | Our impact arrow_forward arrow_back Highlights from the Seattle Gala Our community & referral partners Our impact Highlights from the Seattle Gala Learn more Learn more arrow_back arrow_forward Who we serve Who we serve | Our community & referral partners | Our impact arrow_forward arrow_back Honored by Philadelphia city council Our community & referral partners Our impact Highlights from the Seattle Gala Our impact report Our impact report arrow_back arrow_forward watch the event video watch the event video Who we serve Who we serve | Our community & referral partners | Our impact arrow_forward arrow_back Highlights from the Seattle Gala Our community & referral partners Our impact Highlights from the Seattle Gala arrow_back arrow_forward
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Lakesha Knatt

Meet Summer Search Seattle Executive Director, Lakesha Knatt! Lakesha is a nonprofit leader in the Seattle community with a background in social work and education. She has 10+ years in non-profit leadership and 5+ years in higher education. Her goal is to serve young people who are furthest from educational and economic justice and believe mentorship and experiential learning build transformative leaders who affect positive changes in our communities. Watch her video and reach out to learn more about the expertise she brings to Summer Search!

2023

Joined Summer Search

Besides travel, Lakesha loves to read and write. Her favorite genres are magical realism and historical fiction.

What Is Their Favorite Activity?

Lakesha Knatt

Meet Summer Search Seattle Executive Director, Lakesha Knatt! Lakesha is a nonprofit leader in the Seattle community with a background in social work and education. She has 10+ years in non-profit leadership and 5+ years in higher education. Her goal is to serve young people who are furthest from educational and economic justice and believe mentorship and experiential learning build transformative leaders who affect positive changes in our communities. Watch her video and reach out to learn more about the expertise she brings to Summer Search!

2023

Joined Summer Search

Lakesha loves to travel and has a goal to reach 50 countries by 2030! She is up to 31 countries so far

Fun Fact

Besides travel, Lakesha loves to read and write. Her favorite genres are magical realism and historical fiction.

What Is Their Favorite Activity?

What we're up to now

Check out the latest events and happenings at Summer Search Seattle! Click below to learn more or, if no events are scheduled right now, reach out to seattle@summersearch.org to learn about other ways you get involved.

Summer Search Cardio Dance Class Fundraiser

Join the Summer Search Boston Associate Board at Lili Latin Dance Studio for an exciting cardio dance class fundraiser led by Cynthia from Cynsationally Well! <!--...

2025 Summer Search Associate Board Soiree

Five Iron Golf Herald Square | The Continental NYC 883 6th Ave, 3rd Floor, New York City, United States

Wednesday, September 10th | 6:00pm Five Iron Golf Herald Square | The Continental NYC: 883 6th Ave, 3rd Floor We are so thrilled to host you...

Need Answers? Check out these Questions Below!
What is Summer Search?
Summer Search is a year-round program that empowers young people to confidently pursue their vision of success during and after high school through mentoring, summer experiential learning opportunities, and post-secondary and career supports. We believe that all young people should have the support to pursue their purpose and secure their financial futures. Starting in sophomore year, students will be paired with a staff mentor and a group of peers for regular conversations where they will work together on building social emotional and leadership skills and exploring college and career options after high school. Students will receive support from our community as they journeys from high school through to launching their career.
Who is eligible to participate in the Summer Search program?
Sophomores who attend one of our partner schools (or are affiliated with one of our partners) and who meet our eligibility guidelines can apply to Summer Search. To be eligible for Summer Search, prospective students must be sophomores from a partner school and qualify for Free and Reduced lunch.
Do I need to pay to be a part of the Summer Search program?
No! Through the generosity of the Summer Search community, Summer Search is fully-funded (aka: free!).
How do I apply for Summer Search?
Ready to become a Summer Searcher? Click here!
Who are Summer Search Mentors?
Summer Search mentors are full-time, paid professional staff who are trained in social-emotional learning, critical consciousness development, college and career advising and trauma-sensitive practices. Summer Search mentors are unique in their backgrounds and skills coming into Summer Search. Some have previously worked as admissions counselors and others have worked with wilderness programs. Summer Search staff are united in their ability to see and center the strengths and voice of Summer Search students. All staff complete a background check before they are hired.
How does Summer Search ensure students are safe on their summer experiences?
Summer Search participants are awarded scholarships to participate in summer experiences after their sophomore and junior years. These experiences are opportunities for growth and connection that are both challenging and empowering. Traditionally, during the first summer, Summer Searchers go on a 2-3 week outdoor adventure in their home state or another state. Backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, and many fun connecting activities are some of the most common adventures that our students experience. To ensure the safety of all participants, Summer Search does not operate the summer experiences directly. Instead, we partner closely with the best professionals in the field who are specifically trained to lead summer programs for youth. We provide parents/families and students information about the program they will attend and be available to answer all questions about it.
What type of Summer Programming is offered?
Summer Search participants are awarded scholarships to participate in summer experiences after their sophomore and junior years. These experiences are opportunities for growth and connection that are both challenging and empowering. Traditionally during the first summer, Summer Searchers go on a 2-3 week outdoor adventure in their home state or another state. Backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, cycling, and sailing are some of the most common adventures that our students experience. The second summer is typically a cultural immersion/service (in the United States or abroad) experience, an academic program, or internship/career opportunity. Parents/guardians and participants will always have a choice about whether to participate in a summer experience.
What about the cost of attending college?
Summer Search staff will partner with students to find a good fit college (or explore an alternative pathway like technical school) and provide support in navigating the process of securing financial aid and scholarships to make college as affordable as possible. We take an individualized approach to advising participants on their post-secondary pathway to ensure that we are supporting each individual student’s goals and aspirations. The majority of Summer Searchers are graduating college with <$20,000 of debt as compared to borrowers between the ages of 25-34 with an average debt of $33,260.
How does Summer Search support my student's career goals?
Your student will join the Summer Search community and will have access to a national network of staff, alumni, board and corporate partners for professional development opportunities including career-based coaching, job shadow days, internship and job postings. These opportunities are offered via a private portal, Summer Search CONNECT, which your student will be invited to join.
What is the commitment from participants and families?
The power of this program comes from the combination of the depth of support provided by Summer Search and the mutual investment made by each young person in our program. Initially to enroll in the program, students and their parent/guardian will be asked to complete an application which includes providing information about your family’s financial picture. Once a student is accepted into the program, parents will be invited to talk with their student’s mentor over the phone, review materials about the program in your preferred language, and attend an orientation to share more details and answer questions. There are other opportunities for parents/guardians to connect with their student's mentor through the program, including attending events and meetings. There is no cost to participate in the Summer Search program.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please reach out to Jaylin Prescott at jprescott@summersearch.org

Become A
Summer Searcher Today!

Ready to discover your Power and Potential?
Join Summer Search for personalized mentorship, fully funded summer experiences, and a network of support as you shape your future. Your path to possibility begins here!

The Summer Search Seattle Team

Behind every student is a dedicated team of staff, mentors, and community partners who believe in their potential and work tirelessly to provide the support they need to succeed.

Alecia Cunningham

Senior Director of Development

Noelia Wassaff

Program Associate

Angel Munguia

Post-Secondary Program Coordinator

Christina MacDonald

Seattle Board Chair

Van Nguyen

Seattle Alumni Board

Shabazz Abdulkadir

Seattle Alumni Board

Mohamed Abdi

Seattle Alumni Board

Melen Yemane

Seattle Alumni Board Vice Chair

Jessica Par

Seattle Alumni Board

Jayjay Pastores

Seattle Alumni Board

Elizabeth Galvan

Seattle Alumni Board

Tigist Abebe

Seattle Alumni Board

Bao-Chao Do

Interim Seattle Alumni Board Chair

Mysonne Brown

Seattle Alumni Board

Duron Jones

Senior Program Director

Trisha Paulino

Program Associate

Jaylin Prescott

School & Community Engagement Coordinator

Michael Davis

Senior Program Associate, Black and Indigenous Student Achievement

Logan Groh

Program Manager

Lakesha Knatt

Executive Director

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