Programs & Services
LA CAUSA YouthBuild gives opportunities to the youth as they realize their goals and aspirations, which help them transform into the leaders of today and tomorrow, to provide value to our community. Together we are building brighter futures.
YouthBuild Charter School of California
YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) holds a unique place in the landscape of California’s public charter schools. As a competency-based dropout recovery school, it seeks to provide a high school education that leads to a diploma for a distinct group of students. YCSC students, who are all between the ages of 16 to 29 years old, come from low-income families and underserved communities, and have previously left or been pushed out of the traditional school system without a diploma. They enroll at YouthBuild programs over-aged, under-credited, or both, in order to receive vocational training, counseling, leadership development and an education.
Unlike traditional schools that employ standardized curriculum and classroom practices that often disempower and alienate marginalized students, YCSC’s project-based approach allows young adults to take ownership of their education.
In addition to providing a rigorous education, YCSC partners with local community-based organizations to provide students with counseling services, college preparation, leadership development, vocational training, and the unique opportunity to revitalize their communities while earning school credit by building low-income housing.
In partnership with YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC), LA CAUSA offers a high school diploma program. Using a project based model, the instructors use innovative teaching techniques, computer technology, and current events to engage students in the classroom and around the community.
Authentic Education Through Community Action
In order to meet the unique needs of its students, YouthBuild Charter School of California uses a project-based, inter-disciplinary curriculum model that relies on authentic assessments and applied learning. Students are empowered to take what they learn in the classroom into their communities to promote social justice through volunteerism and advocacy. At the end of each trimester, YCSC students work together with teachers to create a culminating community action project. These projects have included a Health Fair in Lennox, adding fresh food options to a liquor store in East Los Angeles, and a Town Hall event in Boyle Heights calling for an end to sheriff violence in L.A. County jails.
Unlike traditional schools that employ standardized curriculum and classroom practices that often disempower and alienate marginalized students, YCSC’s project-based approach allows young adults to take ownership of their education. In addition to providing a rigorous education, YCSC partners with local community-based organizations to provide students with counseling services, college preparation, leadership development, vocational training, and the unique opportunity to revitalize their communities while earning school credit by building low-income housing.
How Can We Help
LA CAUSA YouthBuild helps shape lives of the next generation of leaders, giving opportunity for the youth to further their education, learn job skills, and build their resumes - while also gaining valuable leadership skills and making a positive impact on our community.
High School Diploma / Post Secondary Education
Our teachers provide young people with the appropriate modifications and accommodations in order to ensure that learning is accessible to all students.
Occupational Skills Training
We provide young people with hands-on work experience, valuable skills, and industry-recognized credentials to improve opportunities for a sustainable life.
Career Development
We offer access to paid internship opportunities with local non-profits and corporations, resume/cover letter workshops, mock interviews, and other resources to help develop a sustainable career.
Leadership Development
We believe our community needs more diverse, effective, and locally trained leaders. We help our participants develop a consciousness that is socially aware of issues affecting our communities.
Supportive Services / Counseling
We offer one-on-one and group counseling, linkage to resources, workshops and groups as well as working with administrators on program development and evaluation.
Life Skills
Our life skills curriculum helps youth become actively engaged in the formation of self-determined goals to enhance their personal and professional development.