Girls & Gangs

The Girls & Gangs Program provides camp-to-community reentry services for girls in the Los Angeles County juvenile justice system that start in detention and continue after release.

HOW IT WORKS

Critical information, life-skills and personal support from committed adults who connect with girls during incarceration and stay with them when they return to their communities—are the heart of the Girls & Gangs Program at YPI. Girls in LA County Probation Camps Scott and Scudder, Central Juvenile Hall and Dorothy Kirby Detention Center attend Securing My Future workshops on healthy relationships, reproductive health, anger management and job readiness to help them successfully complete probation, enroll in school, obtain employment and increase their ability to utilize community resources. Girls also receive individual case management, working with the same trustworthy adult for a year or more after release.

When I met Vanessa, she says, ‘I care. If you need me, I’ll be here for you.’ She doesn’t judge us; she just genuinely cares... She went to my graduation; my own mom couldn’t make it… She couldn’t bring me a dress, she couldn’t spend money, she couldn’t do anything like that and Vanessa helped me out with all of that. You know how they say blood is thicker than water? Sometimes it’s the other way around.

— Participant

WHO WE SERVE

YPI’s Girls & Gangs Program serves girls in LA County Probation Camps Scott and Scudder, Central Juvenile Hall and Dorothy Kirby Detention Center during incarceration and when they return to their communities.

The anger management classes helped me a lot. I was actually able to cope with my anger and to cope in different ways…… She was always pushing me to do good, to finish school….. pushing me to strive forward.

— Participant

CONTACT