The mission of VCLA’s Youth Programs is to help children, parents, and community members become effective leaders and successful citizens. VCLA’s diverse Youth Programs address the needs of children and youth while supporting academic achievement, developing professional skills, promoting citizenship, fostering leadership, and nurturing the citizens of the future. VCLA’s Youth Programs range from traditional volunteering opportunities to service learning and restorative justice.

Last year, VCLA’s Youth Programs served over 10,000 Los Angeles County children ages 7 through 17. Youth Programs are based at VCLA’s main office in Panorama City, at Probation Schools, and at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the county. In addition, some VCLA youth programs train parents and community members in tutoring and mentoring.

VCLA’s Youth Programs include: Project Teen Reach, Points of Light Leadership Institute, Juvenile Community Service Program (JCSP) and Social Responsibility training.

Project Teen Reach (PTR) provides life skills training to first and second time juvenile offenders referred by the Juvenile Courts and Probation Department. Clients complete a minimum of 10 hours of classroom instruction focused on honing decision making, goal setting, values clarification, communication, social and employment skills. Clients also learn about productive parenting through a series of reproductive health education presentations from Valley Community Clinic.

The Points of Light Leadership Institute is a course that empowers young people to become leaders and practical problem solvers in service to their communities. For more information please contact (323) 777-9773.

The Juvenile Community Service Program (JCSP) provides an alternative sentencing option for juvenile offenders, allowing them to be accountable for their behavior by doing volunteer work at community-based non-profit organizations. Annually, JCSP serves more than 7,000 youths -- aged 9 through 17 -- who are referred by the juvenile courts or probation department. For more information please contact Program Director , (818) 908-5001.

Social Responsibility training provides strong-willed, at-risk adolescents with techniques to build social responsibility and help unify the family. Participants spend up to 12 hours in a classroom setting where they receive a comprehensive overview of the physical, emotional, and social effects of tobacco use, substance abuse, and low self-esteem. Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to the substance abuse prevention, abstinence and sex education, and decision-making.

For more information please contact:

Annabel Bayona
Program Coordinator
(818) 908-5066
E-mail: teenhelp@volunteers.org

Volunteer Center of Los Angeles
8134 Van Nuys Blvd.
Panorama City, CA 91402