Youth Development

ABOUT #Investinyouth

The #InvestInYouth Campaign defines Youth Development in Los Angeles as a holistic and cultural approach that encompasses and provides the resources and pathways for youth to develop and engage in their academic, economic, emotional, creative, physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Youth provides youth a platform to shape the systems that impact them.

The #InvestInYouth Campaign is part of a California Endowment Initiative to improve the social, economic, health, educational, and civic engagement opportunities for youth in Los Angeles.

• We believe in the lack in investment has led to a public health crisis.

  • Over Criminalization

  • Lower high school graduation rates

  • Unhealthy life outcomes
     

• We know that more high quality, scalable and positive youth development is large part of fixing this problem.
   

• Our goal is to build a youth development department in Los Angeles.

Youth Development seeks to create an environment in which youth are …

• HEALTHY

• SAFE

• ENGAGED & CONNECTED

• PREPARED

• SUPPORTED

• CREATIVE

Over 800,000 young people call Los Angeles home. Are they valued members of our community? Does LA truly love its youth? LET’S PROVE IT!

Creating a Youth Development Department will:

• Increase Investment in Youth

• Create a strategy for positive youth development in Los Angeles with measurable outcomes

• Reframe the debate & policies around public safety & youth achievement

• Let youth know how much we value them!

POLICY WINS

• City Council Motion (2018) Link
  Councilmembers Jose Huizar, Monica Rodriguez, and Jose Buscaino introduced a City Council establishing a City Task Force that will develop a strategy and roadmap to get to the creation of a Youth Development Department.
   

• City Council Motion (2017)
  Councilman Jose Huizar introduced a City Council motion requesting a City Report focused on examining current youth investments made by city departments and how these programs are coordinated.

  • Approved by Council Committee – which exposed our campaign goal to other key councilmembers: Ryu, Englander, O’Farrell, Buscaino

  • Met with CAO’s office, providing criteria for what constitutes a YD to inform assessment and report findings

CAMPAIGN VALUES

• EMPOWER RESIDENTS
  To build resident capacity using trainings, educational tools and to create access that empowers residents to navigate conversations with decision makers and elected officials.
   
• POSITION YOUTH TO BE LEADERS
  Build a pathway for youth engagement that provides career development, opportunities for employment & resume building, and advocacy training.
   
• DECREASE THE CRIMINALIZATION OF YOUTH
  To build understanding at all levels, from residents to police to county, city and state institutions to prioritize holistic/positive youth development that positions youth to be at-promise, not at-risk, through systems change.
   
• RECENTER ON MATRIARCHAL APPROACHES
  To challenge patriarchy and constructs that disempower the ability to adequately advocate for youth.
   
• INCLUSIVITY
  We are committed to bring an intergenerational and intersectional approach to all the work we do.

Short Term Goals

• Creation of a Youth Development Task Force

Long Term Goal

• Creation of a Youth Development Department

  • Funded by the City of Los Angeles general fund revenue

  • Provides a coordinated vision for investment in positive youth development

  • Reduces criminalization of youth

  • Increases public safety by investing in proactive youth development

  • Uses equity as a key criteria for how funds are distributed

PARTNERS

• Legacy LA

• Self Help Graphics & Art

• Big Citizens Hub
• Advancement Project
• LA Voice
• Casa 0101

COALITION MEMBERS

• East LA Community Corporation
• East LA Women's Center
• Jovenes Inc.
• Mujeres de Maiz