Julian Castillo (BSAPK’25), a student in the Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology at the University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance, or HHP, recently participated in The Allstate Foundation’s inaugural National Youth Service Summit in Chicago. This event convened 70 of the nation’s most impactful youth leaders, ages 18-22, creating a platform for collaborative leadership, skill-building and innovative problem-solving.

“Spending time with 70 of the country's most inspiring youth and young adult service leaders was a great privilege,” said Greg Weatherford II, Youth Empowerment Program Officer for The Allstate Foundation. “These young people are changing the landscape of service as we know it, and it’s an honor to support and strengthen the impact they already have in their communities.” Castillo was selected from a pool of nearly 500 applicants nationwide, representing exceptional young leaders, including nonprofit founders, policy advocates, civic leaders and changemakers at the forefront of positive change in their communities. The rigorous selection process sought to identify those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and impact in their service work. Being one of 70 students chosen for this honor underscores Castillo’s remarkable contributions and potential to continue making a meaningful difference.

Castillo’s service includes roles as a volunteer coach with Gainesville Soccer Alliance’s TOPSoccer Program for children with special needs, founder of Phyz4Kidz, a nonprofit aiming to provide underserved youth access to sports, and a HHP Ambassador, engaging with prospective students and building college-community connections.

“Service has been a foundational value in my life, instilled in me from a young age. In my family, service is intertwined with principles of excellence, joy and honoring God through our actions,” Castillo said. “These values guide how I approach challenges and engage with others. I see service as an opportunity to give back to my community, create lasting connections and inspire growth. Through serving, we create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond the moment, motivating me to keep making a difference.”

The Allstate Foundation National Youth Service Summit is a cornerstone of The Allstate Foundation's commitment to empowering youth to serve and improve communities. The summit was hosted by the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity, with funding provided by The Allstate Foundation as part of their partnership to (re)define youth service for a new generation. Through initiatives like this, The Allstate Foundation continues to invest in youth leadership, ensuring young people have the tools and resources they need to build a brighter future for their communities.

About The Allstate Foundation

The Allstate Foundation empowers people and communities so they can thrive. Established in 1952, The Foundation takes bold actions and inspires people to act by empowering youth to serve and improve communities, working to close the racial wage gap, and disrupting the cycle of relationship abuse. The Foundation also supports nonprofit leaders through the Nonprofit Leadership Center.

About the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO)

CELO is a nonprofit committed to a world where high-quality youth development opportunities are distributed as equally as the abundance of talent in our communities. Emerging from nearly two decades of groundbreaking research and incubated at The Aspen Institute, CELO bridges the gap between academia and practice to accelerate youth development and deliver on the promise of greater impact.

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