Youth Launchpad

Youth economic advancement

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

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

Youth in underserved communities of Los Angeles County—especially those who are formerly incarcerated or justice-impacted—face significant barriers to employment, stable living conditions, and support systems. Providing life skills and teaching self-sufficiency can serve as both prevention and intervention against potential violence. Jobs create peace. As Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries said, “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.”

Participants in this program will engage in a comprehensive, skills-based curriculum designed to support personal and professional growth. The training will include resume building and how to effectively complete employment applications. Participants will also explore how to address and discuss felony convictions in a professional setting, as well as learn to navigate community resources that support reentry and employment.
Mock interviews will help participants build confidence and prepare for real-life job opportunities, while anger management techniques and life skills—such as cooking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle—will promote overall well-being. Workshops on self-confidence and professional networking will further enhance participants’ ability to connect with potential employers and peers.
The program also includes substance use education and prevention to support informed decision-making and healthier life choices. In addition, participants will learn practical financial literacy skills, including budgeting and money management, to foster long-term stability and independence. This holistic approach aims to prepare youth and justice-impacted individuals for a successful transition into the workforce and community.
After completion 15 youth will have a warm hand off to their local American Job Centers of california(AJCC).

Educating youth under 18 with work experience and job-focused education is key to preventing crime and violence. Many in underserved areas of Los Angeles County lack access to opportunity, guidance, and support. By teaching job skills, life skills, and self-worth, we empower youth to avoid harmful behaviors and make positive choices. Exposure to real work environments builds accountability, responsibility, and purpose.
If successful, our work will help reduce crime and recidivism, transforming struggling neighborhoods into safer, thriving communities. This early investment will lead to lower incarceration rates, increased employment, and a stronger local economy. A safer, more hopeful Los Angeles starts with our youth.