YPI in Pacoima
 Located in the East San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Pacoima
is one of the poorest communities in the city. Predominantly
Latino, it has more than 80,000 residents who face education, employment, and technology challenges addressed by the Youth
Policy Institute and partners over the past
eight years.
The YPI Community Center opened in January 2003 and is located at 13630 Van Nuys Blvd. It
offers technology resources and educational classes for residents
at no cost, including the use of over 70 desktop and
laptop computers, a wireless computer lab, a conference room, and
a wide range of technology.
YPI offers a high intensity of programs in the epicenter
of poverty in Pacoima, the area around Pacoima Charter Elementary
School and the San Fernando Gardens, a public housing development
operated by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA).
90% of the 1,300 students at the school are enrolled the federal
free and reduced price lunch program, a leading indicator of family
poverty. The San Fernando Gardens contains 448 units and 1,621
residents, 48% of whom are under the age of 18. The
average annual income is $18,000, more than 45% less than the Los
Angeles median family income.
Programs and Services
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The Los Angeles Promise Neighborhood led by YPI and supported by more than 30 public and community partners targets Pacoima. Currently in the planning year, the program when implemented in 2011 will provide a range of education, training, and supportive services targeted to neighborhood need.
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The San Fernando Valley Full- Service Community Schools program targets five LAUSD and charter schools in the same neighborhood served by the Los Angeles Promise Neighborhood. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program works with partners to provide
services that include early childhood education, tutoring, college preparation, enrichment and remedial academic services, parenting education, mentoring, supportive services for families (such as Earned Income Tax Credit workshops, financial literacy, and linkages to City of Los Angeles 311 social services), service learning projects, job training, career counseling, family nutrition, mental health counseling, and primary health and dental care.
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The Valley Family Technology Project assists families of fourth-grade
students at Pacoima Charter Elementary School with computer literacy and ownership services. Many families served in this project
reside in the San Fernando Gardens, located just across the street. Parents
completing the 60 hour training course receive a complete computer system
with Internet access free of charge for their home.
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The 21st Century Community Learning Center Afterschool Program
at Pacoima Charter, Vaughn Next Century Learning Center, and Bert Corona Charter School serves hundreds of students each day
with tutoring, project-based learning, and enrichment activities.
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