You Belong!

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Gateway Cities

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

In Centennial High School (Compton), there is an urgent need to address school connectedness among our foster and homeless youth, many of whom face isolation, instability, and barriers that severely hinder their ability to participate in school. Foster youth face distinct hurdles that severely impact their attendance and academic progress. Frequent changes in living situations, lack of stable adult role models, and limited guidance at home lead to chronic absenteeism and unpredictable school engagement. Similarly, our students experiencing homelessness may sleep in cars or move from couch to couch, forcing their families to prioritize basic survival needs over educational consistency. For both groups, academic success is deeply tied to improving stability, support, and a sense of belonging at school. By fostering meaningful relationships, strong support systems, and a sense of belonging on campus, we can give every student—regardless of their circumstances—a real chance to succeed.

This grant will support an initiative focused on increasing school connectedness among foster and homeless youth at Centennial High School in Compton. Key activities include welcome and belonging events to create a warm, inclusive environment; vision board activities to help students set personal and academic goals; and monthly support circles that foster ongoing peer and adult connection. Each student will be assigned an adult mentor on campus—selected with the student’s input—who provides consistent support and serves as a liaison between home and school. Mentors receive a stipend for their role. Students will also receive self-care kits, incentive cards, and a resource guide with community supports. Additionally, the grant will fund a college and career awareness field trip to expose students to postsecondary pathways and inspire future planning. To support academic engagement and bridge the digital divide, each student will also receive a personal laptop. The grant will further help cover costs for senior activities, including prom and graduation, ensuring all students can participate in these important milestones. Together, these efforts aim to build trust, reduce isolation, and encourage engagement to improve attendance and academic outcomes.

We want Los Angeles County to be a place where foster and homeless youth feel genuinely connected to their schools, supported by caring adult mentors, and empowered to pursue their goals. We want our homeless and foster youth students to experience increased attendance, improved academic outcomes, and greater participation in school life—including milestone events like prom and graduation. We want to create a stronger sense of belonging to reduce chronic absenteeism and help close opportunity gaps. We want our school to be better equipped to provide consistent, trauma-informed support, and students who once felt invisible to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Ultimately, this work will contribute to a more equitable, inclusive, and compassionate educational landscape across our schools.