May is Foster Youth Awareness Month. It’s the time of year that we acknowledge our resilient and outstanding foster youth and provides the opportunity to raise awareness of a cause close to our hearts.

Our Youth Development Department goes above and beyond to provide crucial services to our program participants to remove personal barriers to success and provide essential resources.  Our programs support foster youth in receiving the education, skills training, workforce development, and opportunities they need to successfully transition to adulthood. From the CRCD Academy to Jobs for Los Angeles Graduates, all of our youth-centered programs support the development and success of foster youth.

Especially, Project Tipping Point (PTP) which provides support specifically for LA’s current and former foster youth to successfully access college through the provision of a two-year, cohort-based academic program operated in partnership with Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. In this program, participants earn post-secondary credentials and exit prepared to pursue higher education or embark on a sustainable career path.

Join us in celebrating these foster youth in their success and bright futures!

Lamont is an example of what a determined young man can accomplish with the right support.

At the age of 21, Lamont takes full ownership of his past and is constantly working towards a brighter future.  Determined to be an example of what justice-involved youth can accomplish he has established himself as a role model and leader at CRCD High School Academy.  On top of his strong academic standing, Lamont helped the South LA YouthBuild program staff with painting and renovating his school during his Winter break.  He is unafraid to speak on his values and offer insight when having discussions with his peers.

It would be easy to overlook that he must balance court-mandated obligations, school, and the external factors that can weigh heavily on a young African American adult in South Los Angeles.  Fortunately, another of Lamont’s strong suits is supporting others and his openness to receiving constructive criticism.  As a Jobs for Los Angeles Graduates (JLAG) and South LA YouthBuild member he has received case management support with internship placement, job training, career credentials, and the opportunity to advocate for other justice-involved youth.

Through JLAG, Lamont was recently selected for the 2020 Annie E. Casey LEAP Fellowship. Through this opportunity, he will participate in a 3-day convention and represent his community allowing him the chance to further develop his leadership skills.

  The CRCD family looks forward to helping him achieve whatever goal he sets his sights on next.