— Mark Supper, Executive Director, Los Angeles Youth Network
Today the Los Angeles Youth Network (LAYN) opened its doors to a new home for foster and homeless youth in Hollywood. The 10,000 square foot 1919 Craftsman style home replaces LAYN's current 30-year old barrack style emergency shelter and will enable over 300 foster youth (ages 12-17) a year to receive high quality enhanced services in a safe and nurturing environment.
"We are thrilled to be able to move our emergency shelter into this comforting and lovely environment," said Mark Supper, Executive Director, Los Angeles Youth Network. "We see kids who are the most traumatized. They come to us right after
they have been removed from their home or a difficult foster placement. It is critical that the environment in which they find themselves provides a sense of comfort and safety. This new building will do just that."
As the only organization in Hollywood that provides residential care to homeless youth ages 12-21, LAYN provides shelter and a home to foster and homeless youth with programs that enable these abused, neglected and homeless youth to become self-sufficient adults. The new residence will be able to accommodate the effective delivery of LAYN's full continuum of care. It's eight bedrooms, art therapy room, education/computer lab, family reunification room, living room, dining room recreation area, and youth services building will provide ample space for 17 youth to simultaneously receive a multitude of vital services to help them overcome past trauma while providing an improved quality of life.
The building was formally opened this morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, Philip Browning, Director, Dept. of Children & Family Services, Mark Supper, Executive Director, Los Angeles Youth Network, Steve Zimmer, LAUSD School Board, Jevon Wilkes, a former LAYN resident as well as LAYN Board Members and invited guests.
"I find it terribly heartbreaking that thousands of children are displaced from their
homes and end up on the streets of Los Angeles," said Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell. "I commend the Los Angeles Youth Network for doing its part to create a safe place for homeless children until they are able to transition out of the foster care system and into permanent housing. Pursuing a dedicated source of funding to house the most vulnerable members of our community is a primary focus of mine on the L.A. City Council."
As a way of expressing gratitude to retiring Los Angeles County Supervisor, Zev Yaroslavsky for years of assistance and support from his office, LAYN's Youth Services Building, a detached carriage house on the property, will be named the Zev Yaroslavsky Youth Services Center. The building will enable youth to receive mental health services, counseling and mentoring in a private setting. Mark Supper continued, "As one of the only organizations in Hollywood that provides residential services to youth ages 12-21, it is critical that LAYN be more than a shelter for these young people and that they have a place where they canbegin to heal and get their bearings. We are thrilled that this new facility enables us to continue staying true to our mission by providing a full continuum of care in the best possible environment throughout all four of the agency's homes."
Founded in 1984, Los Angeles Youth Network, empowers abused, neglected and homeless youth to become self-sufficient adults. LAYN serves over 500 youth each year, provides 13,000 bed nights and serves over 40,000 meals through its 2 emergency shelters.
For more information, please go to www.layn.org
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