(photo courtesy of the Everychild Foundation)

The Everychild Foundation has awarded this year’s $1-million grant to Homeboy Industries to create the first Homeboy Industries Youth Re-Entry Center in Los Angeles County. The nationally recognized program focuses on helping high-risk, gang-involved youth, ages 14-21, who are on probation and live in poverty.

This is the 20th annual grant awarded by the Everychild Foundation, which has now given more than $18 million to help Los Angeles-area children and their families in need. Everychild is an organization of women who each donate $6,000 annually to fund a new $1 million grant to launch or expand an innovative and replicable project easing suffering of local children.

This year’s Everychild grant will be used to purchase a 3,000-square-foot building in Boyle Heights next to HBI. It will also support new staff and a set of comprehensive services, including education, mental health, case management, legal and work readiness. Over the years, HBI has created a recognized model of evidence-based practices for adults returning from prison. Given that 25% of HBI’s current participants are 14-21 years old, the agency has recognized the need to focus intentionally on juvenile re-entry and healing from complex trauma.

“Our new grant will target high-risk youth who are involved in the justice system, helping to end generational cycles of poverty, violence and incarceration,” Everychild founder and President Jacqueline Caster said. “Having spent the past four years serving on the Los Angeles County Probation Commission, I have seen the difficulties that these youth face upon reentry into society after incarceration. This new center will help assure that these and other at-risk youth receive the support and guidance they need to stay on the right path.”

“We are humbled and thrilled to receive this significant grant award from one of the preeminent philanthropic organizations in Los Angeles celebrating its 20th year anniversary,” said Thomas Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries. “Together, Homeboy Industries and Everychild Foundation have more than 50 years of serving the youth of Los Angeles, and we will stand in kinship with the most demonized and forgotten youth to build a model for the nation with a re-entry center that will provide every child hope, safety and healing.”

For information, visit everychildfoundation.org.