Empowering Angelenos with Housing and Supportive Services

Opportunities for People Who Have Been Incarcerated

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Reentering from incarceration poses significant challenges for individuals, with stable housing being a primary concern. Limited resources and a criminal history often create barriers to finding suitable housing, leading to eviction, homelessness, and safety risks. Additionally, system-involved youth often lack access to positive social outlets and influences that can keep them from walking down a similar path. Dream Live Hope offers a solution through transitional supportive housing and the Push 4 Peace (P4P) Youth Program. Together, our comprehensive programs provide stability and access to critical support services such as case management, substance use and mental health support and referrals, peer and cross-generational mentorship, healthcare linkages, vocational training, financial management, and educational opportunities. These efforts promote employment, treatment engagement, and self-confidence, tackling root causes that lead to recidivism and poor socio-economic outcomes.

With the support of LA2050, Dream Live Hope Foundation (DLH) will provide housing, wraparound services, and case management to underserved Angelenos with a focus on returning citizens and justice-involved/at-risk adults and youth. We prioritize communities that have been the most deeply affected by historic disinvestment, over-policing, and inequity. Activities will include: - Housing: We provide supportive housing for 35 men at two homes in Los Angeles. Here, we offer a safe and drug-free living environment that is conducive to physical and emotional health. - Supportive Services: We help individuals gain access to identification and other documents they need to be work and life ready and provide access to social services and other referrals. - Life Skills: Classes are based on the needs we have found to be prevalent in the populations we serve, including Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution, Employment Readiness, and Financial Literacy. - Resources: We connect participants with resources and services including technology education, relationship support, workforce development, and more. We offer weekly 12-step meetings and food drives at our Resource Center. - P4P: Our youth programming enrolls at-risk youth in life skills and art-based programs and incorporates mentorship, incentives (e.g., field trips, gift cards), self-care, and more. DLH hopes to continue this vital work, ultimately making Los Angeles a better place in which to live, learn, and create.

Supporting reentering individuals and those in at-risk situations is not only essential for those individuals, but also for the broader community. When system-involved youth and adults have access to support that helps them thrive, there is a ripple effect felt throughout the entire community-communities experience reduced crime rates, improved public safety, and reduced financial costs, improving the quality of life for everyone including businesses, residents, and visitors. Further, when youth are given access to tools and life experiences of those who have travelled the path, they are less likely to engage in dangerous or adverse behaviors that threaten their stability and self-sufficiency. DLH provides access to housing, supportive services, mentorship, training, and employment that empower returning citizens and youth to rebuild and re-imagine their lives, become productive members of society, and contribute to a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Los Angeles.

Dream Live Hope Foundation assesses the impact of our work through the following methods: - DLH will measure the total number of individuals served during the grant period. We expect to see an increase in the number of individuals served annually as a direct result of this grant by expanding our programs and increasing the capacity of leadership and staff. - DLH will assess/measure the quality of services provided, as well as the sustainability and stability of our organization. This will be evidenced by positive feedback from clients/staff, progress toward individual client goals, reduced recidivism, and progress toward overall organizational goals. - DLH will increase public awareness of the program through outreach, demonstrated by more sign ups on website, additional donors, number of followers on social media, engagements in community events, and/or partnerships with other orgs and elected officials.