A youth-led nonprofit

Teensfor Teens

Teens across Sarasota–Manatee learn together, build confidence and lead meaningful community work.

A colorful papercraft collage of four teens studying together around a table with books, a laptop, pencils and geometric paper shapes
Learn. Lead. Lift others.

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Recent events

Recent events

Math illustration with geometry tools, a graphed line in an open notebook, and test answer bubbles
OCT 17 · 2026 · 8:00–9:30 PM ET

PSAT Math Prep Session

The PSAT math prep session covers high-yield PSAT math strategies and tackling the hardest question types. The participants learned a lot and were really prepared for the PSAT math in the following week.

PSAT mathVirtualFree
Scientific illustration of a brain-shaped circuit inside a lightbulb
SEP 26 · 2026

Your Brain in the Age of AI

Teens debated whether AI should replace effort or strengthen learning.

An invited speaker led the workshop at Osprey Public Library, guiding teens through an engaging session of ideas, discussion, and hands-on learning.

AI literacyOsprey Library
Graphic of two students studying together beside a lesson sheet in summer sunlight
June 8 – August 3, 2026

Teens for Teens Summer Program

A completely free, teen-led and supportive summer program, open to motivated students who wanted to learn and grow.

An eight-week math program at Gulf Gate Library, led entirely by teens. Student leaders guided every session, working through problems, exploring new concepts, and supporting each learner along the way.

MathGulf Gate Library
Three people jumping in silhouette on a beach at sunset
MAY 16 · 2026

End of Year Celebration

A celebration of service, mentorship, STEAM and creativity.

The community looked back on the year's service projects, mentorship programs, STEAM events and creative workshops.

CommunityCelebration
A film clapperboard held open beside a notebook of story ideas on a wooden table
MAY 2 · 2026

My Community Story – Youth Lens

Teen smartphone filmmaking rooted in local stories.

This Suncoast Remake Learning Days project invited teens to frame and film their communities from a youth perspective at Gulf Gate Library.

CreativeCommunity

Our mission

Teens helping teens thrive.

Peer learning and youth leadership build knowledge, confidence and community.

Learn together

Workshops and peer support build confidence.

Lead early

Teens shape the programs they join.

Lift others

Share skills, stories and support.

About us

Teens for Teens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Sarasota County, Florida, dedicated to providing a supportive community, both academically and mentally, for teenagers, empowering them to reach their full potential through mentorship and teaching.

Our Mission

Its purpose is to connect teenagers with peer mentors who guide and support them through the challenges of adolescence, fostering personal and academic success and encouraging them to take ownership of their own lives and goals.

Youth leadership

Get to know us

Ben Jiang

President and co-founder

A high school junior who likes math and puzzles. Leads the team, sets the vision, and keeps every program moving forward.

Athena Erbe

Vice President

Intro coming soon

Elizabeth Zhang

Director of Outreach

Intro coming soon

Justin Kim

Director of Programs

Intro coming soon

Emma Zhang

Director of Operations

Intro coming soon

Shiloh Silver

Director of Finance

Intro coming soon

Students · partners · volunteers

Want to Get Involved?

Bring your curiosity, a skill worth sharing or an idea that could help young people across Sarasota–Manatee. There is more than one way to move the mission forward.

01

Students

Join a workshop, find peer support, tell a community story or step forward with an idea.

02

Partners

Schools, libraries and community organizations can collaborate on meaningful youth programs.

03

Volunteers

Mentor a peer, help lead an event or bring a skill you are ready to share.

Gather, learn and create

Recent & upcoming events

See the latest programs and watch this space for what is coming next. The complete 2022–2026 record is available on the Archive page.

Scientific illustration of a brain-shaped circuit inside a lightbulb
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 · OSPREY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Your Brain in the Age of AI

At our liveliest workshop yet, invited speaker Ningning Yang, PhD, guided teens through a central question: does AI help learning, or replace it? The group debated outsourcing versus collaborating with AI and left with four practical commitments.

Learn smarterThink criticallyUse AI responsiblyStay human

Permanent record · 2022–2026

Archive

Math illustration with geometry tools, a graphed line in an open notebook, and test answer bubbles
OCT 17 · 2026 · 8:00–9:30 PM ET

PSAT Math Prep Session

The PSAT math prep session covers high-yield PSAT math strategies and tackling the hardest question types. The participants learned a lot and were really prepared for the PSAT math in the following week.

PSAT mathVirtualFree
Scientific illustration of a brain-shaped circuit inside a lightbulb
SEP 26 · 2026

Your Brain in the Age of AI

Teens debated whether AI should replace effort or strengthen learning.

An invited speaker led the workshop at Osprey Public Library, guiding teens through an engaging session of ideas, discussion, and hands-on learning.

AI literacyOsprey Library
Graphic of two students studying together beside a lesson sheet in summer sunlight
June 8 – August 3, 2026

Teens for Teens Summer Program

A completely free, teen-led and supportive summer program, open to motivated students who wanted to learn and grow.

An eight-week math program at Gulf Gate Library, led entirely by teens. Student leaders guided every session, working through problems, exploring new concepts, and supporting each learner along the way.

MathGulf Gate Library
Three people jumping in silhouette on a beach at sunset
MAY 16 · 2026

End of Year Celebration

A celebration of service, mentorship, STEAM and creativity.

The community looked back on the year's service projects, mentorship programs, STEAM events and creative workshops.

CommunityCelebration
A film clapperboard held open beside a notebook of story ideas on a wooden table
MAY 2 · 2026

My Community Story – Youth Lens

Teen smartphone filmmaking rooted in local stories.

This Suncoast Remake Learning Days project invited teens to frame and film their communities from a youth perspective at Gulf Gate Library.

CreativeCommunity
Abstract geometric painting with circles, triangles, grids and intersecting lines
APR 25 · 2026

Play Math, Make Art

Numbers and visual traditions met in one lively session.

Activities included the 24-point challenge, geometry games, Chinese paper-cut art and calligraphy at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library.

MathCreative
Three Desmos art panels showing a street sketch, koi fish and a peacock drawn with equations
APR 21 · 2026

Desmos Art Night

An evening of mathematical creativity through graphing.

Teens learned how to use Desmos, creating art from equations, and discovering the math behind the beauty.

MathCreative
MAR 16–21 · 2026

Spring Break Intensive

A spring break week of PSAT and Physics tutoring.

PSAT tutoring ran 7:00–8:30 PM and Physics tutoring 4:00–5:00 PM, March 16–21, 2026.

PSATPhysicsTutoring
JAN 11 & FEB 7 · 2026

Virtual Mentor Events

Two virtual mentor evenings held on Zoom.

Sessions ran 7:00–8:00 PM on Zoom on January 11, 2026 and February 7, 2026.

MentorshipVirtual
Illustration of a multitasking woman balancing a laptop, phone, microphone, notes and clock
JAN 22 · 2026

Mental Health & Stress Management

A practical wellness workshop for teens navigating pressure.

Hosted at Gulf Gate Library with space for reflection, discussion and useful strategies.

Wellness
The word HOLIDAY written in sand beside a heart at the beach
DEC 13 · 2025

Holiday Gathering & Alumni Q&A

A community celebration with an alumni conversation.

The interview and Q&A centered on building academic confidence.

CommunityMentorship
Math equations handwritten on graph paper beside a sharpened pencil
SEP–NOV · 2025

Sarasota–Manatee Autumn Mathematics Program

A fall math program hosted online.

Teens for Teens hosted the program over Zoom from September through November 2025.

MathVirtual
Black handwritten mathematics formulas on a pink background
June 3 – August 5, 2025

Sarasota MATHCOUNTS Summer Program

A summer program preparing students for MATHCOUNTS.

MathGulf Gate Library
Math Kangaroo USA logo
MAY 20 · 2025

Math Kangaroo Award Ceremony

A celebration of young mathematicians.

The original site highlighted National First Place student Enoch Li.

MathAwards
A colorful creative showcase table with art supplies, a camera, microphone, small robot and guitar
APR 27 · 2025

Shine and Share

A spring community event hosted by Teens for Teens.

This event remains in the archive from the original site.

Visit the original event page
Community
Math Kangaroo 2025 graphic with kangaroo mascots and a United States map
MAR 20 · 2025

Math Kangaroo Competition

A local edition of the international math competition.

Hosted by Teens for Teens and preserved from the original event archive.

Visit the linked Math Kangaroo page
MathCompetition
Illustration of hands with different skin tones stacked together in a circle
January 15 – April 26, 2024

Teens for Teens Spring Program

A free, supportive program empowering and engaging local teens.

CommunitySpring program
MAR 21 · 2024

Math Kangaroo Competition

The 2024 Math Kangaroo event hosted by Teens for Teens.

Carried forward from the original site archive.

Visit the linked Math Kangaroo page
MathCompetition
Palm-lined miniature golf course at PopStroke UTC
DEC 23 · 2023 · 10 AM

Community Gathering at PopStroke UTC

An archived gathering at PopStroke UTC.

195 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34243. The original site did not retain a fuller event title or description.

Community
American Computer Science League ACSL logo beside the Python symbol
DEC 22 · 2023 · 8–9 PM ET

ACSL Seminar

A one-hour ACSL seminar retained from the original schedule.

The original site lists this ACSL Seminar for Friday, December 22, 2023, from 8–9 PM EST.

ArchiveVirtual
FEB · 2023

TFT Math Tournament

A TFT-hosted tournament retained in the original Tournament Archives.

Open the original tournament document preserved by Teens for Teens.

View February 2023 document
MathTournament
DEC · 2022

TFT Math Tournament

A TFT-hosted tournament from the organization's first year.

Open the original tournament document preserved by Teens for Teens.

View December 2022 document
MathTournament
NOV · 2022

TFT Math Tournament

An early TFT-hosted math tournament.

Open the original tournament document preserved by Teens for Teens.

View November 2022 document
MathTournament
SUMMER · 2022

AMC 8 Summer Program

The original site records a summer AMC 8 program at a local library.

This early program is part of Teens for Teens' history; the original site lists no more specific date or location.

MathSummer program
ARCHIVE · DATE NOT LISTED

John Locke Institute Experience Sharing

An experience-sharing presentation retained in the original archive.

The original site does not list a date for this event.

View the original presentation
MentorshipArchive

Hearts are private to this visit and reset when the page closes.

YOUTH LENS · SMARTPHONE FILMMAKING

Every neighborhood has a story.

Youth Lens gives teens the tools to notice, frame and share the people and places around them—turning a phone into a creative voice and a community connection.

A phone framing a connected community network above layered coastal waves

Community support

Our sponsors