Youth Economic Development Pathways: Money Talks

Youth economic advancement

South LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

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

“Money On My Mind” is the Zoom image for one of our youth organizers who recently returned home from being locked up. Rather than falling into the stats (70–80% of youth released from correctional facilities are rearrested within 2–3 years), we want him to reach his financial goals. Youth must take care of themselves and their loved ones but haven’t been given the tools, networks, access, or support. They grow up with limited resources and stress, trauma, abuse, and violence; they’re also impacted by the generational consequences of stolen land and labor.
To work their way out of poverty, youth need the right conditions, surrounded by people who are conscious of their situations and can help them navigate these circumstances. They need opportunities that meet them where they are—supportive job pathways, paid fellowships, and healing-centered mentorship—so they can build skills, earn income, and transition from incarceration into leadership, stability, and long-term economic success.

This youth career pathways program creates entry-level job opportunities designed by youth—enabling youth to earn competitive wages and benefits while serving their communities. Additional leadership pathways extend out to coalition partners. Youth have several opportunities towards long-term well-being: fellowships; job training in culinary arts, construction, organizing, substance use education/intervention, and policy work; mentorship; skills building; and inclusion in youth justice and youth development ecosystems. LOBOS (Leading Our Beloveds Out of the System) + Street CRED fellowships pay to participate in leadership development, campaign organizing, harm reduction, peer-led mentorship; they take place during the summer, after school, and after graduation. Youth members are also compensated to participate in community food giveaways to practice/value community service.
Incarcerated youth also access reentry resources, legal support, community building and conflict resolution to ensure protection from further system harm, relationship maintenance, and community connections. Additional support includes being surrounded by trusted staff/coalition partners who help youth prepare job application materials, create long-term success plans, develop soft skills, manage emotions/communication, balance childcare with job responsibilities, and access networks of like-minded people with similar experiences who can help them prepare for and feel confident in their futures.

Youth will engage in compensated opportunities and connect other youth to employment and career opportunities. 10 youth will enroll in paid fellowships; 5 YJC youth members will report extended job placements; 20 FREE LA students will report higher levels of confidence, community involvement, and networking skills after one year; 2000+ community members will receive food/other essential resources from monthly giveaways; deepened relationships with coalition partners toward countywide improvements in youth economic advancement; 80% of FREE LA graduates will go into quality jobs or educational/training programs within one year of graduation
Long term: our coalitions will expand public-private partnerships that incorporate YJC+ coalition partner development pipelines and provide more opportunities for system-impacted youth in areas such as youth development, community intervention, credible messengers, education, social work and community development.