Youth and Family Services
Youth Diversion and Development
Youth Diversion and Development (YDD) provides intensive case management and youth development support services for high-risk youth ages 12-18 who have had contact with law enforcement. YDD assists participants with developing a care plan based on their identified needs and interests. This program helps clients to remain in the community; participants receive case management and are linked to community services that consist of but are not limited to mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs, academic assistance, Aggression Replacement Training, peer mediation, job readiness, recreational activities, and other youth development support.
For more information, contact Cinthia Alvarado, YDD Program Manager, at (310) 628-4774 or cinthia.alvarado@aycla.org.
Level Up Next Gen
The Level Up Next Gen Program (LUNG) seeks to provide pathways out of poverty, non-carceral intervention, and prevention services to low-income, BIPOC, systems, and justice-impacted youth ages 14-24 to overcome barriers to success in their family, school, community, employment, health, and life. The program provides 36 hours of mentoring on life skills, peer mediation/conflict resolution, post-secondary education, and career readiness within 6 – 8 months to reduce delinquency and recidivism, eliminate barriers, and attain self-sufficiency. In addition, youth will be offered at least 80 hours of paid work experience to increase family income, bridging the gap between poverty and wealth. Logistical barriers, such as but not limited to transportation or access to the Internet, will be removed. AYC will also provide youth with local opportunities to complete community service and three field trips, each focusing on social, cultural, and educational experiences.
For more information, contact Richard Toledo, LUNG Program Manager, at (310) 628-4558 or richard.toledo@aycla.org.
Credible Messenger Services
The Credible Messenger Services program is an early intervention, community-based model that pairs youth with a specially trained adult “Credible Messenger” who comes from the same or a similar community, has lived experience in the juvenile or criminal justice system, demonstrates integrity, and is trained to mentor young people. This credibility will allow the participant to connect more effectively with the mentor, who can validate the youth’s experiences and role model a positive future, hope, and healthy prosocial behaviors for the participant who is currently in the juvenile facility and/or community. The Credible Messenger Program focuses on three services: family engagement, restorative justice healing circles, and individual mentoring.
For more information, contact Phoebe Larimore, Credible Messenger Program Manager, at (310) 628-4803 or phoebe.larimore@aycla.org.
Youth Employment
The Youth Employment Program provides job readiness workshops and paid work experience to youth ages 14-25. Job Preparation and Readiness Workshops will be conducted in small groups or individualized instruction over 8 hours to develop skills including resume writing, interview skills development, customer service, and soft employment skills. This program also helps youth to remove barriers, such as helping participants gather right-to-work documents, CA ID, birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc., including transportation assistance, internet, and more. Job Placement Services will include 8-20 hours per week of paid work experience and on-the-job training for participants who lack work experience and/or need additional skills. Participants will be hired as part-time employees at AYC in entry-level jobs to develop good job skills and be better prepared for a similar position. AYC and other partners will hire participants engaged in paid work experience into any open permanent positions depending on work ethic, availability, and other factors.
For more information, contact Johanna Cuevas, Community Services Block Grant Program Manager, at Johanna.cuevas@aycla.org.
Youth Recreation Program
The Youth Recreation Program is a safe haven for low-income, at-risk middle and high school youth, providing them with a supervised and positive alternative to the streets. Friday Night Club (FNC) occurs every Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. It aims to prevent delinquency and gang involvement while giving youth a space to develop social, teamwork, and behavior improvement skills and experience cultural and art activities. The program includes arts and crafts, learning languages, financial literacy, emotional intelligence lessons, mental wellness information, movie nights, game nights, and field trips. This program also helps youth to remove barriers such as transportation, the cost of sports equipment, and much more.
For more information, contact Johanna Cuevas, Community Services Block Grant Program Manager, at Johanna.cuevas@aycla.org.
Re-entry Intensive Case Management Services
Re-entry Intensive Case Management Services (RICMS) provides support and connection to needed services in the community such as housing assistance, benefits and income, establishment assistance, money management assistance, transportation assistance, basic needs assistance, life skills and community integration assistance, and independent living skills assistance. Re-entry is a critical component of the Los Angeles Department of Health Services to reduce drug use and its consequences within the community.
For more information, contact Bertha Morales, RICMS Program Manager, at (323) 902-5697 or bertha.morales@aycla.org.