About UsThe hearts and minds devoted to our mission.
Our team is comprised of passionate people from all walks of life. From our Founder and Board of Directors to the mentors and tutors working with each child, we are all focused on one shared vision for the future. Xtreme Youth began because a single person was touched by her experience with two children. With all of us working together, the difference we can make is beyond measure.
“Our society needs to make a commitment to better the lives of families, to make somebody else’s children all our children.” - John Hubner and Jill Wolfson
Our storyIt started with a CASA.
The foundation of Xtreme Youth was inspired by Kathliene’s work as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for a San Diego based non-profit called Voices for Children.
CASAs help children in the foster care, and juvenile justice systems, advocating for their rights and individual needs. More than volunteers, CASAs often become a consistent and loving presence in the otherwise unstable circumstances of foster youth.
Kathliene’s very first case took her by surprise, illustrating for the first time how much education was lacking from these children’s lives. The constant stress in their daily lives meant that education was rarely a priority in their homes—if they had a place to call home at all.
Recognizing this need, Kathliene enlisted the help of a tutor, who met with her case children twice a week, and she saw amazing improvement almost immediately. Their personalities blossomed, they had renewed excitement about school, and they were earning the accolades to prove it. More than anything, the tutoring sessions transformed their confidence. Today, those children are continuing to grow as dedicated students—and they believe they can make a difference in the world.
National research shows that children in foster care are at high risk of dropping out of school, and are unlikely to graduate from high school or attend college. Sometimes a single person who cares is all it takes to change the course of the future for a child, and that’s why we work with a network of partners who care as much as we do.
Youth are referred to our program by social workers, case managers, court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) and caregivers. From there, Xtreme Youth matches the appropriate tutor for the child and makes arrangements for the tutoring and mentoring to commence
The Foundation Behind Our TeamA Foundation Built on Compassion and Commitment
At Xtreme Youth, everything we do is rooted in a deep commitment to supporting children through life’s challenges. We believe every child deserves guidance, encouragement, and the opportunity to grow—no matter their circumstances.
Our work is driven by a passion for helping children build confidence, develop resilience, and see what’s possible for their future. Through meaningful support and access to resources, we aim to positively impact each child’s heart, mind, and spirit—helping them move forward with hope.
We are inspired by individuals from all walks of life—including those with backgrounds in education, counseling, and lived experiences—who understand the importance of support during difficult times. This shared passion fuels our mission to make a lasting difference in the lives of the children we serve.
Meet Kathliene
Kathliene Sundt has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) since 2015 and continues to be driven by her passion to give foster children and homeless youth the opportunities and encouragement they need to uncover their strengths and realize their full potential.
Kathliene earned her Master of Jurisprudence with an emphasis in Child Law and Policy from Loyola Chicago School of Law in 2023. She also holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Alliant University, California School of Professional Psychology and is currently a Doctoral Candidate pursuing her PsyD.
Kathliene is proud to serve on the board of Housing 4 the Homeless Foundation and remains committed to supporting at-risk youth as they heal from trauma, build resilience, and pursue brighter futures.
She lives in San Diego with her husband and two children. In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, expressing herself through oil painting, and dreaming BIG.
Meet our partnersOrganizations serving foster youth.
Xtreme Youth collaborates with trusted foster-youth-serving organizations across San Diego to help expand access to tutoring, mentorship, and educational resources for youth who need it most. Through these partnerships, we help bridge critical gaps and support opportunities that empower foster youth to pursue stable and successful futures.