Beyond Limits

Youth economic advancement

San Gabriel Valley

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

While House of Ruth’s Prevention Program has historically addressed protective factors of domestic violence by equipping youth with healthy social-emotional skills, it is critical we also address economic risk factors including high poverty rates, high unemployment rates, and limited educational and economic opportunities (CDC). The City of Pomona, with a population of 150,000, is in the lowest (or least healthy) quartile on the California Healthy Place Index, ranking at 24%. This score is significantly less than the Los Angeles County average score of 48.2% and is the lowest out of all its surrounding cities. Even worse, just over half of the population (55.8%) is living above the federal poverty level, with an income of $21,300 per capita. The pilot program, Beyond Limits, will provide job-readiness training, social-emotional workshops, and professional mentorship opportunities to NEET BIPOC Youth in Pomona ages 16-24 to address youth economic advancement and community safety.

For 30 years House of Ruth has engaged thousands of youth in Los Angeles County, fostering healthy social-emotional skills and behaviors with the goal of preventing domestic violence. To complement this work, Beyond Limits addresses the socio-economic factors that contribute to domestic violence. Program participants will not only have the opportunity for personal growth, but professional growth and networking as well, ultimately setting themselves up for success in their professional and personal lives, contributing to a healthier Pomona.
The Project Leader will recruit 20 NEET BIPOC Youth ages 16 to 24 in Pomona. Throughout the program period, the Project Leader will host workshops twice a month, engaging participants in a mix of job-readiness and life skills/wellness workshops that will provide participants an opportunity to develop their professional skillset and goals, while providing a safe space to explore sensitive topics relating to their emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Learning social-emotional skills is not only foundational to violence prevention, but it is an invaluable skillset for youth entering the workforce and becoming successful leaders in their chosen career. In addition, project participants will be paired with a House of Ruth advocate staff member to shadow throughout the program. Through shadowing an advocate, participants will get a glimpse into a potential career avenue and gain valuable insight into the workings of the nonprofit sector.

Beyond Limits is just the beginning of the journey toward healthy adulthood and economic advancement. We anticipate the most significant impact will be the relationships participants form with each other and their mentors. As participants start to explore the academic and professional possibilities after high school, they have a network of support to lean on for advice and guidance. They will also have first-hand experience of nonprofit work and a mentor who can provide them with networking opportunities. Having an insight into a potential career path with connections to help guide the way is invaluable for young people, especially those with limited opportunities. Our goal is to secure additional funding to support the pilot program for a second year so we can fully understand the impact. By the end of this program, Los Angeles County will have 20 young advocates empowered and equipped to change their community for the better, creating a lasting impact for years to come.