EmpowerLA Youth Conference: Uplifting Youth Voices

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership) Central LA East LA South LA West LA San Fernando Valley 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)

Foster and system-impacted youth face barriers to civic participation and community belonging. Surveys show they have more negative outcomes on education, employment, housing, and mental health than their peers. Removing barriers and offering resources and services are crucial for their well-being and the health of their communities. A 2022 Brennan Center report found that civic engagement in adolescence improves mental health, education, and economic success, benefiting communities when youth grow into adults with a strong sense of civic duty. The report highlights the importance of national legislation, education policy, and government support in building lifelong volunteerism and healthy development. Local governments are uniquely positioned to partner with school districts, community organizations, and city/county services to promote opportunities for youth civic participation.

EmpowerLA has a strong history of fostering civic partnerships with various organizations. As a city department, it can bring together diverse partners to promote youth leadership across Los Angeles. EmpowerLA has successfully developed youth programs through initiatives like IgniteLA and its annual EmpowerLA Youth Conference. Both programs have engaged hundreds of youth and cultivated dozens of partnerships. This grant will support the expansion of the conference and will reimagine and innovate its focus to serve foster and system-impacted youth.

The EmpowerLA Youth Conference: Uplifting Youth Voices is a transformative, equity-driven event specifically designed with a focus on civic engagement, mental health, economic achievement through job skills, higher education, and money literacy. Over 300 foster and system-impacted youth will join over 35 community and city partners at LA City Hall and attend workshops on civic rights, public speaking, budgeting, wellness, housing stability, and job interview skills. Interactive experiences like City Hall tours, keynote speakers, music and art spaces, and free professional headshots will enrich the day and deepen engagement. A resource fair will offer access to over a dozen City departments and trusted community organizations offering civic, education, jobs, housing, and wellness services—intentionally curated for the needs of system-impacted youth.

The EmpowerLA Youth Conference will create a space of belonging, growth, and power.

The EmpowerLA Youth Conference: Uplifting Youth Voices offers vital resources empowering individuals to thrive in safe and resilient communities.
Engaged Youth: Connecting foster and system-impacted youth to community partners, Neighborhood Councils, and other local opportunities for engagement will equip them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for their needs.
Increased Representation & Equity: More equitable and responsive policies and systems reflective of their lived experience as a result of foster and system-impacted youth participating in decision-making and policy-making.
Sense of Community Safety: Our focus on mental health, healing, and trauma processing instills the values of community, trust, and open communication that promote safer communities.
Fostering Economic Mobility: An increase in hiring rates among foster youth and system-impacted communities due to access to workforce development programs, job training, and connections to internships.