Kids In The Spotlight (KITS) empowers foster care-impacted and opportunity youth ages 12–24 through a continuum of storytelling, filmmaking, and career-connected workforce development grounded in trauma-informed, relationship-centered wraparound support. Youth typically enter our work through foundational creative programs, where they write, cast, produce, and star in original short films under the guidance of working industry professionals, building creative confidence and core technical and collaborative skills.

As youth deepen their engagement, we expand both opportunity and support. Participants access mentorship, trusted adult relationships, and mental health and supportive services while moving into paid production roles, in-house employment, and hands-on training within our professional Production Studio with Purpose. Our studio operates as a social-enterprise business that serves external clients, hosting commercial, nonprofit, and industry productions. Youth work on active client-booked sets, gaining real-world experience in professional workflows while earning wages and building social capital.

Revenue generated through external studio bookings is reinvested directly into youth wages, wraparound services, and program delivery. Together, our ecosystem creates accessible, paid pathways toward higher education, economic stability, and sustained careers in the entertainment industry—meeting youth where they are and supporting their growth from storytellers into working professionals.