Exalt Youth Scholars Continue to Reach Great Heights Through DBI Projects’ Internship Program

Exalt’s mission is to elevate the expectations of personal success for youth ages 15-19 who have been involved in the criminal justice system. Part of this process is placing youth in paid internships where they learn valuable professional skills and begin to cultivate career aspirations, setting them on a path towards realizing their ambitions. In 2024, DBI committed to hosting 10 interns from Exalt. The interns were given a desk in our office and daily tasks they were expected to complete. They also received one-on-one mentorship from experienced DBI professionals and firm partners who answered their questions, helped them develop technical and professional skills, and shared their own insights on building a successful career.

The following video includes testimonies from current and former Exalt interns, Exalt leadership, and DBI team members Jared Faske, Lillie Chong, Beatrice Arellano, and Javier Villao who were instrumental in the success of the internship program. Interns were asked to conduct site searches and compile information on prospective properties, join project management teams on site visits, and prepare property evaluations and presentations on individual buildings and the overall real estate market in their own neighborhoods. These tasks introduced the interns to real estate basics and the daily responsibilities of a project manager.

Click the following link to watch the entire video: https://vimeo.com/1035403531

DBI’s work with Exalt is multi-faceted, having previously assisted the organization in the search for a new headquarters space, ultimately overseeing the lease and construction of their current offices in Lower Manhattan, and later managing an additional expansion of the organization’s headquarters. 70% of DBI’s work is on behalf of non-profit clients like exalt youth, including educational, arts and culture, social services, and faith-based organizations.