Los Angeles

Launched in 2019

With more than 30 years of success in the Bay Area, YWFC launched an LA location to expand our work building the leadership and power of directly impacted young women and trans youth of all genders to advocate and work to transform the systems that impact their communities.

With the recent motion passed by the Board of Supervisors to decarcerate girls in LA County, YWFC and community partners are working to ensure that young people have the resources and support they need to live self-determined lives upon release.

Through training, mentorship, employment, and opportunities for healing, YWFC is building an alternative to incarceration that centers the expertise and self-determination of young people.

lareferrals@youngwomenfree.org
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“I’ve felt at home ever since I joined YWFC LA. As a youth organizer, I have the tools and opportunities to become a part of something much bigger than myself. I’m so excited to push for the changes that LA County desperately needs”.

– De Anna (she/ her), Youth Organizer

Programs in Los Angeles

1-1 Self Determination Advocacy

Life Coaching, support, systems navigation, mentorship, and re-entry planning

Community Based Research

Through YWFC’s Freedom Research Institute, young people work to develop and implement Youth Participatory Action Research Projects to inform the work, the field, and policy changes.

Freedom Circles

Weekly 2-hour circles grounded in self-determination, positive peer relationships and caring support from self-determination advocates. Our Freedom Circles provide healing and support for young people navigating to stay out of the system. This work includes court support and systems navigation.

Healing & Wellness

YWFC provides access to holistic healing and support for young people to build confidence, agency, and power.

Leadership Fellowship

24-month paid fellowships for young people to advance their skills as community leaders working on behalf of other young people and our communities in Oakland.

Peer-based Outreach, Advocacy, and Crisis Intervention

Peer advocates have been the most successful at finding and engaging young people in YWFC programming through peer-to-peer referrals, community, and street outreach.

Siblings on the Rise

Siblings on the Rise is a paid internship and fellowship that supports young people who have been involved in the juvenile justice system, foster care, welfare, and/or the underground street economies to gain skills to access sustainable employment.

Transform Your Hustle

A 12-15 week course to support young people in finding and maintaining employment and developing entrepreneurial skills and  social capital

Resources from Los Angeles

Resources coming soon!

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Site Staff

Amy Garcia

Self-Determination Coordinator