YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
DYD is coordinating a growing, multi-level approach to youth development that builds support for young people where they live, learn, and play.
PROGRAMS
Did You Know?
Participating in Youth Development activities and services contributes to improved socio-emotional, health and wellbeing, education, and safety outcomes, as well as increased protections against negative outcomes throughout a young person’s lifetime. Research shows that meaningful youth engagement facilitated by youth leadership is an important part of successful youth development programs.
Youth Development Networks
Our approach to youth development is grounded in research and youth leadership, building upon the Social Justice Youth Development framework. We recognize the role of economic, social, and political context and prioritize cultural relevance in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies for youth, families, and communities. For us, youth development means creating equitable access to activities and services supporting health, social, vocational, cognitive and creative, leadership, and environmental competencies for all youth by addressing systemic disparities that limit a young person’s development. Click here to learn more about our Youth Development Model.
Youth Development Networks (YDNs) are designed to provide free, comprehensive, and culturally responsive youth development programming and services to Los Angeles County youth by coordinating low-barrier and high-access networks of care. YDNs will offer a mechanism to increase available services for youth in prevention of and/or responsive reintegration from system involvement.
We are currently finalizing the collaborative design of the first regional demonstration projects for a coordinated and enhanced Youth Development Network model in five initial geographic regions: 1. South Los Angeles, 2. East Los Angeles, 3. the Antelope Valley, 4. Pacoima, and 5. Long Beach.
Multi-Level Approach to Youth Development
The diagram below highlights examples of services, supports, and opportunities for youth development.
My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper
We support the administration of the My Brothers’ and Sisters’ Keeper (MBSK) program funded by the Care First, Community Investment initiative. This program will focus on supporting education, job placement, and mental health for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous youth of all gender identities in Los Angeles County. In late Summer 2023, we are seeking to contract with 8 community-based organizations in the areas of East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, and the Antelope Valley. Stay tuned for more information about how to apply for this upcoming funding opportunity!
BLOOM Program
DYD supports Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities for Men (BLOOM), a school-based mentorship program, through a public-private partnership with the California Community Foundation. BLOOM providers include Becoming a Man, Brotherhood Crusade, and Social Justice Learning Institute. BLOOM provides young Black and Brown males ages 12-18 with mentoring, character-building, and leadership programming.
As of January 2023, BLOOM serves youth in 49 school sites from various districts across Los Angeles County. BLOOM cultivates a sense of belonging, and critical awareness, empowering students to reach greater academic success such as achieving high school graduation, college and/or career enrollment, and an overall improved quality of life. As students recover from learning loss and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BLOOM program and its services are needed now more than ever.
Coming Soon
24-Hour Youth Centers
DYD will facilitate a community centered process to design 24-Hour Youth Centers in alignment with Youth Justice Reimagined goals for our planned Youth Development Network regions. We look forward to sharing more when we begin implementation planning engagement in Spring 2024!
Support for Youth in Schools
DYD is building capacity and increasing access for youth development in collaboration with schools and other youth-serving systems. Stay tuned for more information about how to get involved in Winter 2023!
