UNITE-LA is thrilled to officially announce the release of Centering Youth, Strengthening Systems: A Case Study on Workforce Engagement for Opportunity Youth. The groundbreaking report, developed by the L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC), dives deep into the persistent barriers preventing opportunity youth from fully participating in workforce development programs. From limited outreach and confusing enrollment processes to misaligned program offerings, the report sheds light on the systemic challenges faced by youth. The study also describes promising, youth-informed solutions, such as warm handoffs between referring adults and workforce staff and youth-centered communication and program design.

UNITE-LA is sharing findings and recommendations with city and county leaders to support continuous improvement in youth workforce services and inform ongoing redesign efforts. By uplifting youth voices and experiences, we are strengthening our efforts to build a workforce development system in Los Angeles that is inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive and grounded in the lived experiences of young people.

The case study was made possible by generous support from Anthony Pritzker Family Foundation, Aspen Forum for Community Solutions at the Aspen Institute, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the Deutsch Foundation. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and commitment to advancing equitable workforce solutions.

For more information, please reach out to Amber Chatman, Director of Workforce Systems and Policy, at [email protected].