WORKING
TO GET AHEAD

Finding the Promise in Every
Young Person

The LA Basin is home to a growing, diverse community of young people. This generation represents the future of our region. The LA Basin Workforce Network (LABWN) is focused on making sure every young person — regardless of their experience and abilities — has every opportunity to finish school, find a career path, and become healthy, happy, self-sufficient adults who make their communities stronger.

From Disconnected to Reconnected

Nearly 208,000 young adults in the metro LA area aren’t in school or employed.1 Many across our region also face homelessness and mental health issues, are in foster care, involved in the juvenile justice system, or are living with disabilities — adding to their challenges. LABWN is committed to making sure our communities’ most vulnerable young people have access to the education, training, work experience, and support they need to overcome these challenges and get on the path to success.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

1 in 6

young people ages 18-24 in the LA Basin are out of school and out of work1

2,641

LAUSD high school students are classified as homeless1

5,402

youth ages 16-21 in the LA Basin are in foster care1

50%

of all youth who age out of foster care end up homeless or incarcerated1

YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS

YOUTH PROGRAMS

The LABWN encompasses a regional collaboration of easy-to-access youth programs and centers that serve their local communities’ young residents. These programs provide a one-stop source where young people can access a full range of services, assistance, and resources to help them:

  • Finish their high school education or GED
  • Take college, adult education, or vocational classes
  • Find, apply for, and get ready for jobs
  • Build resumes and interview skills
  • Participate in internships, job shadowing, and mentorship
  • Enroll in training and apprenticeship programs
  • Connect with housing, transportation, childcare, mental health, and other resources
  • Get one-on-one onsite counseling

BACK TO SCHOOL

Across the region, we’re also helping students return and transition to school following juvenile detention and involvement with the justice system. Our goal is to help reconnect students to their schools and communities, while keeping them from falling back into the system. Our innovative, youth-specific re-entry programs include:

  • A dedicated case manager to guide each student to success
  • Counseling services for school re-enrollment and academic support
  • Support services for housing, transportation, mental health, and more

FOSTER YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

Expanded programs for students in foster care and group homes region-wide help young people stay in school, show up to class, graduate from high school or complete their GED, get the services they need for their wellbeing, and get on their feet with economic stability.

HOMELESS EDUCATION PROGRAM

On any given night, an estimated 3,306 youth and young adults experience homelessness in the LA Basin.2 Homelessness creates additional challenges for students struggling to stay in and finish school and find good-paying jobs. The LABWN is working to make sure our communities’ homeless youth have equal access to education by collaborating closely with local school districts and organizations to understand and remove barriers.

YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

LABWN is also working with our partners to connect young people with disabilities to greater educational and career opportunities as well as dignity. This includes programs specifically tailored for youth ages 16 to 21 with disabilities that provide:

  • Paid work experience through summer jobs and more
  • Work-readiness training and job coaching
  • Introduction to the community college experience
  • Individualized case management

OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE WORKING

30,000

youth ages 12-24 served1

10,408

youth enrolled in programs1

5,445

high school dropouts re-enrolled1

1,418

work permits issued to young adults1

SHARING THEIR SUCCESS

“They were able to help me get back on track. Now I’m at Cal State LA, working toward becoming a social worker.”

Ashley P.

1. Los Angeles Performance Partnership Pilot (LAP3) 2017-2020 Strategic Plan Serving Disconnected Youth, July 1, 2017.
2. 2018 Youth Count – Data Summery – Total Point-in-Time Homeless Population by Geographic Areas. Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. July 23, 2018.