Mayor Bass Highlights Nearly $12 Million Investment to Support L.A. Foster Youth

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LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass highlighted nearly $12 million in City investments to expand housing stability and employment opportunities for foster youth during the third annual L.A. Foster Youth Shadow Day, held October 21-22. The two-day program connected 17 young people with lived experience in foster care with elected officials.

Hosted by the Mayor's Office in partnership with the National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI), the program provided participants with opportunities to learn about local government and share their perspectives on policies impacting young people transitioning out of foster care. Their voices made a real difference: the youth delegates inspired Mayor Bass and the City Council to invest in housing and economic stability for foster youth. Photos available here.

While serving in Congress, Mayor Bass founded the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and championed youth participation in policymaking. In 2024, she partnered with the City Council and County Board of Supervisors to establish L.A.'s Foster Youth Shadow Day.

"Growing up in foster care should never determine whether a young person has a roof over their head, a good job, or the opportunity to succeed," said Mayor Bass. "We are taking action to connect young people leaving foster care with housing and career pathways that lead to economic independence. And we are making sure the young people who know these challenges firsthand have a voice in how we solve them. Their future is Los Angeles' future, and we are investing in it."

In September, the Los Angeles City Council approved nearly $12 million to expand housing and employment support for transition-age youth, including:

• $5.3 million to help young people afford housing, supporting 200 additional rental assistance slots for transition-age youth.

• More than $1.5 million to help former foster youth move into homes, supporting eligible move-in expenses for 150 Foster Youth to Independence voucher holders, including security deposits, furniture, and utility expenses.

• $1.6 million to help young people avoid homelessness, funding problem-solving services for transition-age youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

• $560,000 to help young people secure housing, supporting housing lease-up services associated with 350 youth housing opportunities.

• $3 million to connect young people to employment, supporting 150 participants through the LA:RISE Nextgen Pathways workforce pilot.

Councilmembers Ysabel Jurado and Katy Yaroslavsky also helped secure City funding for move-in assistance for 150 young people with Foster Youth to Independence vouchers.

"Every young person deserves to feel our belief and commitment to their success," said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. "The support we are directing now is an investment into building lasting community power and real change felt throughout our communities. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues in a united vision that guides our future generations onto pathways to success well into their adult lives."

"This program has shown me that I want to prevent other people from being in the same shoes I was in. Inwant to show the world that foster youth can make a real change," said Abril Leonyvelez, a Shadow Day delegate.

"To see a woman in leadership, to be the mayor, was a really eye-opening experience for me," said Ka-Leah Mucthison, a fellow delegate. "Youth development and leadership programs are so important because they give youth like me the opportunity to come and experience government. Foster youth need to be in the room, and people like Mayor Bass are making that possible."

The Bass administration has also launched a partnership between the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services' Youth Engagement Section (YES) Division and the City's workforce development system. Through a WorkSource Center operated by the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), eligible young people can access workforce services, including career counseling, job readiness assistance, training opportunities, and employment placement support.