A lot of us are feeling helpless these days. We feel hopeless, powerless, ignored and unrepresented. But there’s a population of young people right here in Marin County that also has every reason to feel hopeless and powerless — but don’t.

Many of them aspire, dream and work like crazy.

They are immigrant children and children of immigrants. They are the high school seniors taking advanced placement (AP) classes because they know that the more they take, the better their chances of getting into a University of California school.

They are the ones who work at the shoe store or the market to pay their own way and, more often than not, to help out with their family’s bills.

They come from Latin countries and from Muslim countries. They come from Haiti and Syria. They’re from all over the world and they bring with them cultures and traditions that enhance our communities.

These young people go on to become professionals in a variety of areas, including medicine, law, education, veterinary medicine and accounting — every profession you can think of.

One student I know wants to become an immigration attorney, because when she and her mother came here from El Salvador, an immigration attorney helped them reach legal status. Another wants to be a teacher to model the amazing support he’s had from the faculty at his school. Truly, there are a million success stories.

So, here’s something that you can do to feel less hopeless and powerless: You can help them.

As hard as they work, many cannot afford the stiff fees associated with taking their final AP tests, and with applying to colleges. Each application costs between $70 and $90, and (like other college hopefuls) they know the smart approach is to apply to five, six or more campuses. They are determined to go on and achieve a higher education.

Keep in mind that many, at the end of the year, won’t be able to afford to buy their senior photos, yearbooks or go to prom. They deserve these things. They’ve worked so hard for them.

Right now, they’re excited over their acceptances to college, and worried about the ones they haven’t heard from yet. They’re also worried about how they’ll be able to pay the initial fees their colleges will require.

Pick any high school. Currently, Novato and San Marin have funds set up specifically for helping kids pay their fees, and to buy the hard-won evidence of their successful high school years. The Novato High School fund is called “Mike’s Club.” It was endowed by an anonymous source who has long been helping students with their extra school expenses.

I have spoken to leaders at both schools about the push for donations.

“We are delighted to have this extra help for our students who need it,” Novato High School Principal Liz Seabury said. “Our school focuses on preparing each student for college, and not being able to afford college fees is a real problem. This fund will increase access and alleviate a lot of stress for many of our students.”

San Marin High School Assistant Principal Katie Waller agrees.

“We are so very grateful for the anonymous fund to support our students to pay for the AP exams and applications to colleges that they might not be able to afford,” Waller said. “This will increase access and alleviate a lot of stress for many of our students.”

Yes, stress is real for these young people. So is ambition.

Both schools are looking for additional donations to the funds.

If you want to donate to Novato High, just specify Mike’s Club. At San Marin, Leslie Resnick will be happy to help you. I’ve been volunteering in Novato with these young people for more than five years. I know them to be serious and determined, capable and excited about their futures.

It’s going to make you feel so good to help these amazing kids.

Susan Little, of Novato, is a frequent volunteer at numerous public high schools in Marin County.