Los Angeles Youth Network
Los Angeles Youth Network helps abused, neglected and homeless adolescents ages 12-17 become self-sufficient, and has been awarded a $26,390.87 multi-use grant. The majority of the money, $23,758.13, will go toward the purchase of a passenger van, which will be used for street outreach. By taking the van out seven days a week for eight hours each day, the outreach team will make approximately 2,400 contacts per year, providing transportation to shelter for runaway and homeless youth, and delivering food, clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, blankets and outreach brochures. Through outreach, LAYN builds relationships with the kids in the hopes of getting them off the streets and into one of their three transitional homes. Part of the balance of the grant will be used to take all 40 residents of LAYN’s three transitional homes to Disneyland for the day. The remaining funds will be used to purchase senior packages for each of the five seniors who are graduating high school this year. It will include prom tickets, prom wear, prom pictures, senior class pictures and a senior class ring. Graduation is a huge accomplishment for these children who, despite having been homeless, are all continuing on to higher education. At LAYN they understand that in order for their youth to develop into healthy successful adults, a transitional living program that provides a stable, consistent living environment is crucial. It is because of this understanding that they have the highest success rate of any such program in the country, with 80% of their kids exiting the program going on to live successfully off the streets.