C11 College Bound Character Development Program

Youth economic advancement

Central LA South LA East LA City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The Thrive in Joy’s C11 Program addresses deep-rooted educational disparities affecting students from historically low-income, predominantly black and Latine communities across Los Angeles. This yearlong, student-led program offers an equitable path to personal growth by helping students harness their strengths, find their voice, and develop leadership through peer-led mentorship and entrepreneurial exposure. Despite landmark cases like Mendez v. Westminster, educational segregation and unequal access persist. A 2007 statewide report found Latine students consistently trail white and Asian peers in academic achievement—fueling long-term gaps in college access and economic mobility. In underfunded schools where students often describe the environment as “toxic,” C11 brings hope (Have Only Positive Expectations). With over 60 alumni now in college, many credit C11 with helping them stay motivated, find purpose, and gain the confidence needed to thrive in both higher education and life.

This grant will support C11, a yearlong, student-led personal development program for high school students in historically underserved communities across Los Angeles. While traditional education often overlooks social-emotional development and real-world leadership skills, C11 fills that gap through a dynamic curriculum built on 11 character strengths, like perseverance, perspective, and kindness. Selected student leaders attend a summer training summit, then lead weekly workshops, receive mentorship from diverse professionals, and design service-learning projects to address community needs. Each school receives a $6,000 budget to execute an Entrepreneurial Social Impact Project (ESIP). Past themes include men’s mental health, literacy, and wellness. Students gain real-world experience in leadership, event planning, and advocacy, reinforcing their belief in their ability to shape the future through achieving higher education. Research shows service-learning enhances civic responsibility and self-esteem; post-program surveys show over 90% of C11 students report greater confidence, purpose, and leadership. Many C11 students go on to pursue civic engagement with renewed direction and lead college-campus initiatives, demonstrating how meaningful service drives long-term success and social change. With LA2050 support, we aim to expand C11 to more high schools, especially those with demonstrated equity gaps, to empower youth to thrive both inside and beyond the classroom.

The C11 program will help transform Los Angeles into a city where every student, regardless of zip code, has access to holistic, character-based learning and leadership opportunities. Through equipping youth with the self-confidence, public speaking tools, and community awareness needed to lead with purpose, graduates emerge prepared to pursue college or high-demand workforce certifications in fields where diverse voices remain underrepresented— like medicine, engineering, city planning, and business. Through civic engagement, small business creation, and pathways to homeownership, they will shift generational outcomes. As graduates grow into policymakers, entrepreneurs, and educators, they’ll build inclusive, empathetic workplaces that reflect and uplift la raza and other marginalized communities. These students won’t just participate in LA’s growth, they’ll shape the social and economic fabric of the city, ensuring the future is more just, connected, and full of opportunity for all.