Empowering Change: Safe Place for Youth Secures $600K Grant to Expand Lifesaving Programs

Safe Place for Youth is thrilled to announce a major milestone in our journey—a successful funding round of $600,000 that will propel our mission to empower homeless youth even further. Founded in 2011 by a group of dedicated volunteers and our visionary Founder/Executive Director Alison Hurst, Safe Place for Youth began as a humble initiative providing hot food, clothing, and socks from cars in Venice Beach. Today, we have evolved into a dynamic organization with a professional team of approximately 60 employees dedicated to transforming lives and addressing the interwoven issues of homelessness, racial, and social inequity. This infusion of new capital comes at a critical time as the epidemic of youth homelessness in Los Angeles continues to grow, challenging communities and fueling urgent policy debates. The funds will be strategically deployed to expand our comprehensive programs, increase our capacity to serve vulnerable youth, and fortify our partnerships with local service providers. By doing so, we aim to not only provide immediate relief—such as continued access to essential services—but also to create lasting, community-driven solutions that empower young people to build brighter futures. This significant investment in our work is a testament to the unwavering support from our Board Members, donors, volunteers, and partner organizations, who have collectively witnessed our growth from a volunteer-led initiative into an influential, policy-driven resource in the community. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to innovate services, expand our reach, and be at the forefront of the collaborative efforts needed to end youth homelessness in our city.