Extraordinarily Connected: The Linkages of LA Youth Work Heal, Teach, and Foster Bright Futures

January 12, 2026

“One of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone.”
— bell hooks

When time and energy are put forward to pull young people together a sort of magical thing happens when they engage each other, or hear from a mentor of that mentor talks with their peers. But its not magical. Its the dedicated sustained work of positive youth development that is happening daily in Los Angeles in the world of Ready to Rise.

A group of high school students trying to organize their peers around immigration issues are provided a safe space at a local community organization and the resources to create a documentary sharing their experiences and lifting up their voices…

A justice-involved young person labeled “beyond repair” for behavioral issues becomes engaged in life coaching and skill building programs through a community-based organization, and goes on to become student of the month and then student of the year…

A team member at a grassroots organization who has had negative experiences with reporting and evaluation requirements is connected with a community support service that understands culturally grounded community-based work, and through that collaboration improves their data collection capabilities…

An under-resourced organization that has been struggling to serve their community for years, receives coaching in compliance and capacity building in a way that empowers and prepares them to seek and receive funding from city, state and federal entities…

These are just a few examples of the way Ready to Rise grantee organizations and the youth they serve benefit from inclu sive spaces that pro mote belonging. These achievements are made possible through an extraordinarily connected network of teachers, coaches, youth workers, social workers and youth themselves.

Public systems too often utilize an approach that focuses on addressing dilemmas after they have impacted under-resourced families. Community-based organizations work to not only prevent crises, but also create positive, nurturing environments that keep youth safe and healthy in the long term.

But because of lack of resources, many organizations struggle in isolation. According to a survey by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, 91% of community-based organizations say that partnering with other organizations plays a vital role in improving capacity building and outcomes.

91%

Partnering with other organizations

85%

Collaborating with policymakers

84%

Organizing community events to raise awareness

Ready to Rise exists to create the community-based connections needed to reshape the youth justice ecosystem. By providing funding alongside coaching, capacity building and collaboration between grantee organizations, groups in the Ready to Rise cohort have greater resources to create the nurturing environments needed for youth to make positive peer-to-peer connections.

By being extraordinarily connected, the Ready to Rise community is creating truly inclusive spaces in which young people can thrive.

Sign up to learn more about the organizations advancing innovative strategies that propel youth forward and reshape the youth justice ecosystem.

Ready to Rise? Sign up today!

We are showing what is possible. We are creating an ecosystem that finds multiple opportunities for young people to thrive.

Join us to see what happens: