Jovenes, Inc. provides services to empower disenfranchised youth and families in the community. They offer emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and programs in employment, education, and wellness. Their goal is to help homeless youth transition to self-sufficiency and prevent returning to the streets. They also created an online network called The Beacon Network to connect local non-profits and track client needs across agencies. On average, they serve over 600 individuals per year through their continuum of services.

1. Jovenes, Inc
Empowering Youth to Succeed

2. The Mission of Jovenes, Inc.
• To provide opportunities to disenfranchised youth and families that enable them to become
active and integrated members of the community.
• What is an opportunity? Any type of support, experience, or life lesson that empowers them to
set goals, reach their potential, and increase their belief in themselves.
• We want to make sure our youth understand that homelessness can just be an experience, not
a life-long condition, and that they can succeed through perseverance, and by making wise,
informed decisions with appropriate support and guidance.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 2
2
Page 2

3. More than Shelter
• Jovenes provides more than beds and meals Since I came to Jovenes, my life has changed so much.
for youth. Today I have two jobs and also go to school instead of
• We are an Academy where youth experience a being in a gang. At Jovenes the staff talk to us, listen to
transformation in their mindset so they will us and are really interested in learning what are we
never go back to the streets again
about. They ask us about our goals and dreams and
• Through Informed Decisions and Perseverance
and appropriate care youth can rapidly change listen to the things that we want to do. Jovenes has
their lives. helped me believe that no matter who you are or where
you come from, you can be anything you want. I
believe that everyone wants to be somebody. I”e
learned that it the problems that we go through that
make us stronger. I believe that all it takes is the
courage inside you to show who you are. -David, age
19.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 3
3
Page 3

4. A Complete Continuum of Care for Homeless Youth
OUTREACH
EM. SHELTER TR. HOUSING
AFFORDABLE PERMANENT
HOUSING SUPP.
HOUSING
Youth will access housing options based on their needs.
On average we serve about 100 homeless youth age 18-24 in our continuum of care each
year.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 4
4
Page 4

5. Progress Place Apartments
• Jovenes’ 1st Permanent Housing Development: 14 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for
homeless youth with mental disabilities age 18-25.
• We are developing a privately financed scattered site permanent housing model by partnering
with a Community Development Finance Institution to purchase local properties and convert
them into permanent housing for youth.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 5
5
Page 5

6. Additional Programs
• Street Outreach
• Emergency assistance
• Drop in Center with computer lab
• Employment Counseling
• Family Preservation
• Domestic Violence Counseling
• Soccer Academy
• Arts Programming
• Leadership and advocacy
On average we serve 600 individuals each year.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 6
6
Page 6

7. The Beacon Network
Illuminating Needs, Navigating Services
• First system in Boyle Heights organized
by CBO’s that will collect data across
agency lines.
• First system in Boyle Heights to provide
interactive resource directory intended for
public use.
• Over 1,200 hits per quarter from youth
looking to access services
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 7
7
Page 7

8. www.TheBeaconNetwork.org
• This website helps non-profit staff in Boyle
Heights and East LA connect with each
other’s services.
• Also includes a shared case management
database being used by five agencies.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 8
8
Page 8

9. www.TBNconnect.org
© 2010 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 9
9
Page 9

10. www.TBNconnect.org
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary
Page Page 10
10
Page 10

11. Of the 3,519 specified needs, 25% were for Youth Community Services
and 20% for Basic Needs
Health Basic
17% Needs
20%
Financial
5%
Youth
community
services
25% Counseling
and Education
Support 17%
Legal Groups
6% 10%
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 11
11
Page 11

12. 31% of Basic Needs requests were for employment assistance
Basic Needs
Food Housing/Sh
15% elter
16%
Clothing
14% Transportati
on
14%
Employmen Financial
t Assistance
31% 10%
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 12
12
Page 12

13. Enrollment in school or an education program
No, I was Yes, I am
expelled full-time
31% 24%
Yes, I am
part-time
6%
No, I left by No, I
choice graduated
9% 30%
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 13
13
Page 13

14. 72% of respondents do not have medical insurance
Do you have health insurance or Medi-Cal?
Yes
28%
No
72%
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 14
14
Page 14

15. Education
College / Middle
College Schools
Preparation 4%
20% English as a
second
language
21%
Vocational
Training
9% GED &
Alternative
High Schools
14%
Tutoring
17% High Schools
15%
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 15
15
Page 15

16. Distribution map
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 16
16
Page 16

17. Profile of Boyle Heights
Source: Los Angeles Time, Census
Population
92,756 population in 2000, according to the U.S. Census
99,243 population in 2008, based on L.A. Department of City Planning estimates.
6.52 square miles
14,229 people per square mile, among the highest densities for the city of Los
Angeles and among the highest densities for the county
Ethnicity
The percentage of Latino people is
high for the county.
Not especially diverse for the city
of Los Angeles and not especially
diverse for the county
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 17
17
Page 17

18. …Continues
Ancestry and immigration
Mexican (81.6%) and English (0.2%) are the most common ancestries.
48,566 (52.4%) of residents are foreign born, high for the city of Los Angeles and high for the
county. Mexico (87.7%) and El Salvador (4.5%) are the most common foreign places of birth.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 18
18
Page 18

19. …Continues
Housing
Average household size of 3.8 people, high for
the city of Los Angeles and high for the
county
Occupied housing units
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 19
19
Page 19

20. …Continues
Families
There are 3,889 families
headed by single parents.
The rate is 21.1%, high for
the city of Los Angeles and Females
high for the county
The percentages of never
married males and never
married females are among
the county's highest.
Males
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 20
20
Page 20

21. …Continues
Age
The median age is 25, young for
the city of Los Angeles and
young for the county
The percentages of residents
ages 10 or younger, 19 to 34
and 11 to 18 are among the
county's highest.
Age
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 21
21
Page 21

22. …Continues
Income
•$33,235 median household income (2008
dollars), low for the city of Los Angeles and low
for the county
•In Los Angeles County, Downtown, University
Park and Chinatown have the most similar
household incomes.
•The percentages of households that earn
$20,000 or less and $20,000 to $40,000 are high
for the county.
Household income in thousands of 2000 dollars
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 22
22
Page 22

23. …Continues
Education
5.0% of residents 25 and older have a four-year
degree, low for the city of Los Angeles and low for
the county
In Los Angeles County, Maywood, Florence-
Firestone and Florence have the nearest
percentage of residents 25 and older with a four-year
degree.
The percentage of residents 25 and older with less
than a high school diploma is high for the county.
Education level
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 23
23
Page 23

24. Working with undocumented individuals
CHALLENGES
• Hard to Reach: developing relationships takes a long time.
• Approach: culturally/ethnically sensitive. It is not just a matter of language but of customs and
uses.
• Education: lack of academic achievement, language barriers, knowledge of laws and social
norms creates:
– Barriers to integration and isolation.
– Lack of understanding of network of support including the law (Special Order 40 and pathways to
legalization for victim of violent crimes).
– Risks for illegal behaviors (underage drinking, sex with minors).
– Reduced impact of prevention and as a consequence intervention happens often time at a very late
stage.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 24
24
Page 24

25. Working with undocumented individuals
STRATEGIES
OUTREACH:
• Learn of places of congregations. Include (and budget) for an longer period of active outreach
(just passing out fliers may not work).
• Staff understanding and connection of target population can make the difference.
PROVIDING SERVICES
• It is really not about money! Undocumented individuals or families may be aware that resources
may not be available to them.
• The lack of knowledge on resources and system/network of support often limit what individuals
may be able able to access on their own. In many case the request for help or support is more
on an emotional level.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 25
25
Page 25

26. Working with undocumented individuals
…PROVIDING SERVICES
• Services must be delivered in a fashion where hierarchies or roles are kept more informal. This
help focus on the problem and show customers a sense of care and interest.
• There is pride and sense of privacy: use as indirect approach to reach the real issue or problem.
• Exploit the sense of resilience individuals have.
• Develop a network which includes faith based organizations. Their funding for social services is
usually not restricted.
© 2012 Jovenes, Inc. – Confidential & Proprietary Page Page 26
26
Page 26

27. Thank You.
Jovenes, Inc.
1208 Pleasant Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
www.jovenesinc.org
www.Thebeaconnetwork.org
www.Tbnconnect.org
www.facebook.com/jovenesinc