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

• The San Fernando Gardens Neighborhood Network is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and offers computer literacy and skill building workshops for adults, as well as tutoring and afterschool programming for youth. Services are provided in a computer lab updated and expanded by program funds.

• 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. 420 families have now graduated and own their first home computer thanks to this program.

• Members of the YPI AmeriCorps Program work with students at Pacoima Charter to provide one on one tutoring to improve English/Language Arts skills using Voyager Passport software.

• Pre-Kindergarten and Family Literacy offers preschool classes for students age 4 who are preparing to enter kindergarten. Children receive services at Pacoima Charter School. Parents can also enroll in parenting classes and adult education workshops targeting job preparation, ESL, and GED preparation services.

• The 21st Century Community Learning Center Afterschool Program at Pacoima Charter serves 140 students each day with tutoring, project-based learning, and enrichment activities.

• Adult Education resources for parents and other residents include classes for adult literacy, GED preparation, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

• Supplemental Educational Services (SES) provides technology-enhanced tutoring in English/Language Arts using Voyager Passport for students attending Pacoima Charter School.

• Bert Corona Charter Middle School (Grades 6-8) is a charter school operated by the Youth Policy Institute in Pacoima attended by many students graduating from Pacoima Charter School.