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Branchout with BRANCHOUT!

A Youth Community Outreach Program since 2015

BranchOut! is an award-winning and professional development program created by Veritas Education Leaders, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in the Washington DC area. BranchOut! is guided by education experts and professionals and allows its members to work in a professional ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between high school leadership and real-world impact.

Local chapters are driven, led, and managed by student leaders with the goal to share STEAM knowledge across communities while promoting civic engagement and cross-cultural understanding.

Learn more about BranchOut! here.

ChatGPT Image Feb 3, 2026, 05_54_42 PM_e

10+
years

700+
alumni

6
chapters

BranchOut! Earns National Recognition from Media and Keynote Figures

As an award-winning professional development program, we have received endorsements from US Senator Tim Kaine, Congressperson Andy Kim, former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Maryland State Senator Susan Lee, Maryland Delegate Lily Qi, and other community leaders. BranchOut! also became an official organization in 2018 to certify the U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award. Our innovator program won the US Congressional App Challenge award in 2020.

Senator Tim Kaine

Senator Andy Kim

BranchOut! Signature Programs

Tutoring

Mentoring

In-person or virtual.

Details vary from chapter to chapter.

Learn more.

Innovator

Program

Team-based app and website programming and coding

Learn more.

Explorer Magazine

Team-based international journalism and quarterly magazine publications

Learn more.

Community Workshops

Public speaking with community outreach, panels, and interviews

Learn more.

2026 BranchOut! Applications Are Open

Application Deadlines:

Early Bird 1: March 1, 2026
Early Bird 2: April 10, 2026
Regular: May 11, 2026

Mentors will engage in:

Meaningful, impact-driven projects
Eligibility for numerous awards
Leadership roles
Community service hours
Internship opportunities

Apply here!

Recognize, Celebrate, Empower: The BranchOut! Awards

At BranchOut!, we don’t just train leaders, we celebrate the milestones that define their journey. We believe that hard work, dedication, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone deserve to be recognized.

To honor the remarkable contributions of our students, we present a variety of awards throughout the year to celebrate excellence at every stage of development:

Rising Star Award: Celebrating our newest members who jump into community service with passion and a "service-first" mindset.
Star Award: Honoring students who show consistent dedication, reliability, and meaningful impact within their chosen program departments.
Leadership of the Year: Awarded to the student who has gone above and beyond, demonstrating exceptional initiative, project management skills, and the ability to inspire their peers.
Congressional Certificate: A prestigious, non-partisan honor recognizing seniors who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to long-term goals and significant service to their community.

BECOME A SUMMER MENTOR

BECOME A SCHOOL-YEAR MENTOR

Apply TODAY!

BECOME AN INNOVATOR

“Working with BranchOut! mentors [has] been a cultural enrichment experience for our participants...This mentoring program gave mentees and mentors an opportunity to learn from each other's different cultures, and embrace their new learning experience through unique and fun STEM projects.”

— Willston Multicultural Center Management Team

GALLERY

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EXCITING NEWS & UPDATES
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BranchOut! Success: Empowering Student Leaders

Branching out—stepping beyond the familiar—is the cornerstone of personal growth and a key differentiator in the competitive landscape of college admissions. When students push themselves to explore new environments, they move from being passive participants to active architects of their own lives.

BranchOut!

2 days ago3 min read

Feeding The Community

Newton, Massachusetts is a city with a mean income of about $190,000, according to Data USA, and a 96% graduation rate according to the U.S. News and World Report. Newton, of course, is generally considered a ‘rich’ town. As such, I did not initially think that my town had many problems with poverty. They were never our problems; they were always someone else’s. They were not to be seen in our everyday lives.

Oliver Chi

Mar 303 min read

BranchOut! at the Burlington Civic Expo: Where Community and Curiosity Meet

BranchOut! co-founders engage attendees with their STEM trivia game, promoting STEM education and mentorship. BranchOut! was proud to participate in the 3rd Annual Civic Expo hosted by Burlington Buzz in partnership with the Town of Burlington at Burlington High School. This free, family-friendly event brought together town departments, boards, commissions, and local nonprofits — all under one roof — giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at how Burlington operates and ho

BranchOut! Boston

Mar 42 min read

The Mountain: The Hike Toward Representation

That climb was exhausting, but it pales in comparison to the metaphorical mountain Asian Americans have been forced to scale for centuries. Our history in this country has been one long, steep ascent against a landscape of exclusion.

Oliver Chi

Feb 273 min read

Inspiring Future Scientists: Students Explore Harvard's Cutting-Edge Lab

On February 18th, a group of high school students from the Boston area visited one of Harvard University's research labs in Cambridge. Organized by BranchOut! Boston, this visit offered the students from high schools a firsthand look at the world of scientific research and innovation.

BranchOut! Boston

Feb 233 min read

Branching Out to the West Coast: Introducing BranchOut! LA

The BranchOut! LA Chapter was founded in 2025 with a simple yet impactful mission: to make science, math, and the arts accessible and engaging for young students. The chapter aims to promote curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for a future in STEAM. At the same time, the team works to promote cross-cultural understanding from an early age. At the center of the LA Chapter's work are interactive STEAM activities designed to make learning fun and meaningful. Rathe

Jasmine Su & Brian Chen

Feb 94 min read

Democracy Begins at City Hall

This New Year’s Day was freezing cold. Newton City Hall, though, buzzed with life as my BranchOut group and I made our way upstairs through the crowds. The inauguration of Marc Laredo as the 32nd Mayor of Newton, Massachusetts, was about to begin. The audience in the City Council Chamber included people from all walks of life. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey was there, as was Chief Justice Kimberly Budd of the Supreme Judicial Court, both to the side of the podium. Sever

Oliver Chi

Jan 282 min read

BranchOut! Believes: Showing Up Is an Act of Leadership

BranchOut! Boston (Newton, Lexington, and Cambridge Chapters) had the honor of attending the inauguration of the new mayor at Newton City Hall on January 1st, 2026.

BranchOut! Boston

Jan 72 min read

Celebrating a Decade of Impact: BranchOut!’s 10th Anniversary Recap

On October 5th, the Kreeger Auditorium at Bender JCC of Greater Washington was filled with energy, inspiration, and gratitude as we celebrated a major milestone—our 10th anniversary. This special event brought together community members, students, mentors, and leaders to celebrate ten years of growth, leadership, and impactful service.

BranchOut!

Nov 4, 20254 min read

Celebrating Community and Creativity at the Cambridge Block Party!

On October 18th, the Boston Chapter of BranchOut! had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the vibrant Cambridge Block Party. This lively community event brings neighbors together to celebrate local culture and creativity. We collaborated closely with the Community Art Center, a hub for fostering artistic expression and community engagement.

BranchOut! Boston

Oct 22, 20251 min read