Building Economic Opportunity for California Justice Leaders

Income inequality

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Nearly one million people are released from California prisons and jails each year (Prison Policy Initiative, 2023). This community faces significant reentry challenges, particularly in employment, due to stigma and discrimination associated with their criminal histories. Formerly incarcerated individuals experience unemployment rates five times higher than the general population (Couloute & Kopf, 2018). Young people are especially vulnerable, often grappling with strained family relationships, limited support networks, and mental health issues. The absence of relatable role models further impedes their successful reintegration. This cycle of marginalization perpetuates poverty and recidivism. Urgent action is needed to create equitable economic opportunities for justice-involved youth, breaking this cycle and fostering successful post-incarceration outcomes.

This grant will bolster the economic success of California Justice Leaders (CJL) members and alumni in LA County. CJL is a pioneering AmeriCorps program for justice system-impacted young adults (18-35), who act as "credible messengers" offering reentry education and coaching to peers facing similar challenges. Far too often, contact with the criminal legal system is a barrier to employment and opportunities. CJL flips the script, recruiting people because of their life experiences, not in spite of them.
CJL members join for a year of paid service with 15 LA reentry nonprofits, receiving professional development in digital literacy, case management, data, and communications, and more. 100% of members demonstrated increased employment readiness, and 80% of graduates advance to paid jobs or higher education.
CJL supports motivated, talented leaders pursuing career growth and sustainable wages. A LA2050 grant would enhance:
Professional Development: Leadership skills, trauma-informed coaching, case management, and digital literacy training.
Youth Coaching: Each CJL member provides 900 hours of coaching/reentry support to other young people in LA. Career Readiness: Coaching, resume building, interview prep, and more.
Alumni Support: Professional development, networking, and stipends (up to $500, twice yearly) for 165 alumni.
Second Chance Employment: New partnerships with LA employers committed to hiring formerly incarcerated staff.

Impact Justice envisions a future where all formerly incarcerated young adults in LA County receive the support needed for fulfilling careers and lives through our CJL and Alumni Program. With LA2050's investment, we'll help 36/total 60 current CJL members in LA County and 105/total 165 alumni pursue economic stability while supporting youth reentry and advancing justice and equality. Our immediate success in LA County will disrupt cycles of recidivism, promote economic advancement, and address income disparities for the people we serve. Grant funding will boost alumni support and create more job opportunities through partnerships with second chance employers. Long-term, we aim to scale our model to benefit hundreds of additional justice system-impacted young adults in LA and beyond, leveraging CJL’s impressive outcomes—achieving 100% professional enhancement, 81% job/education transition, and 90% member retention. Explore impact through CJL members' stories and alumni journeys.

California Justice Leaders and the Alumni Program are evaluated through extensive data collection via Salesforce and rigorous analysis by our in-house Research and Action Center team. Since inception, CJL has successfully employed 186 members with a robust 90% retention rate. All members exhibit enhanced professional development skills, achieving a 100% improvement rate. Serving 399 beneficiaries, CJL maintains a strong 96% success rate in facilitating their reentry goals, supported by 1,048 community education surveys and 20 successful record expungements. Notably, 11 members secured staff roles at placement sites. 11 beneficiaries transitioned to become members, underscoring CJL's role in community integration and growth. To date, we’ve partnered with 30 local organizations facilitating member’s year-long paid service placements. Additional overall outcomes are available in this program assessmentand series of client profiles.