Our Work

I M U is a youth development organization that supports student leadership through adult-youth partnerships. We work with multilingual high school students to strengthen communication, collaboration, and cultural competence, fostering student sense of belonging and contribution.

Each year, a cohort of 9th-12th grade students designs and facilitates interactive workshops and events for their peers. Through collaboration and project-based learning, youth build confidence, practice leadership, and learn how to work effectively across differences.

Our flagship program is based at San Francisco International High School, where up to 30 student leaders create 5 or more workshops annually. With integrated social-emotional learning and English language development, students practice 21st century skills that support peer connection, positive school culture, and college and career readiness.

%

more confident in English

%

feel more belonging at school

youth-led peer to peer workshops

A World Where Youth Lead

Our youth and adults come from over 33 countries, creating a vibrant community where students build confidence, leadership, and pathways to success.

Shaped by What Teachers See

After I M U’s first two years, we sat down with six teachers at San Francisco International High School to learn what helps newcomer students engage, connect across cultures, and grow as leaders. Their insights still guide how I M U works today.

Students engage when they lead. At I M U, students choose workshop topics, write agendas, and facilitate sessions for their peers, with adult guidance along the way.
Real problems matter. Students plan schoolwide events that take on issues they care about at school and in their community.
Learning sticks when it’s hands-on. Each meeting builds toward something concrete: a presentation, a workshop, or an event their classmates attend.
Connection takes time. Many students stay with I M U across several years, growing from members to leaders to mentors.
Students’ lives are the curriculum. Workshops draw on students’ own languages, cultures, and experiences.

View Full Report

Youth-Led Projects, Events and Workshops

Learn more about our work and partnerships since 2009.

Youth-led Events

Student leadership builds youth confidence, growth in English and readiness for graduation, college and career.

Learn more about events where students lead

Overnight camping trips to regional Bay Area parks including Tilden, Redwood, and others
Annual International Day of Peace Celebration since 2009, celebrated through different school workshops, events and activities such as face painting, assemblies, pinwheels, a student built website and more
Workshop and Event Topics
- Around the World simulation with passports
- Create Change Project to address bullying
- Videos exploring race, culture and religions
- If you really knew me workshops sharing joys and challenges (Challenge Day)
- School values to explore the four school values of Challenge Yourself, Learn Together,
- Act with Empathy and Create Change
- Non-violent communication to practice 4 steps of internal and external conflict resolution (Marshall Rosenberg)
- 3 Chairs (John Kinyon)
- English barrier on becoming more confident English speakers
- Little Giants week focusing on English practice
- Respect and how to practice it
- 3 level of culture paradigm exploration (Zaretta Hammond)
- Religions, races and ethnicities of the world and more
Contests at SFIHS
- T-Shirt Peace Design Contest
- The Peace Oscars Award Program
- “What About Peace?” Poster Contest in partnership with Global Exchange

Projects & Partners

Action-oriented projects build belonging, self-efficacy and community.

Check out our projects and partnerships

Partnership with the Amigos de Las Americas South American Youth Ambassadors Program
- Joint projects
- Performances
Leadership Summit overnight camping trip in partnership with SFIHS Eco-Art Club, City Arts and Technology HS (CAT) and the Marine Ecology Program (MEP) with Fort Ross Conservancy at Fort Ross State Historic Park
Volunteer field trips with:
- Glide Memorial Church Food Distribution Center
- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
- Northern California Family Dog Rescue
- Hands on Bay Area October Planting
- Clean up at Ocean Beach
Collaborations at SFIHS
- GSA Club
- Eco-Art Club
- International Committee (student government)
- SFIHS Art Department
- Community Youth Center (CYC)
- Refugee and Immigrant Transitions (RIT)
- Wellness Ambassadors (RIT program)
- SFIHS Health Fair
- SFIHS Wellness Center
- SFIHS Family Day

Financial Transparency

How Your Support Is Used

At I M U, the majority of our funding directly supports youth programming. Approximately 75% of our budget goes to program services, including youth stipends, food, materials, and program staff.

About 20% supports management and administrative functions, such as fiscal sponsor compliance and fees, reporting, and organizational operations.
5% supports fundraising and development, including donor engagement and community partnerships.

As a small organization, our leadership team is deeply involved in both programming and operations, and expenses are allocated based on how staff time is actually used.

Expenditure and Revenue, 2025

Expenditure

Program Services 75% 75%
Management & General 20% 20%
Fundraising & Development 5% 5%

Percentages are based on current budget allocations and reflect I M U’s commitment to prioritizing direct youth impact while maintaining responsible organizational operations.

Revenue

Grants 91% 91%
Donations 9% 9%

The majority of I M U’s funding comes from competitive public and youth philanthropy grants, along with generous support from individual donors who believe in our mission and community impact.

Help Us Continue Our Work