[The following final update was written by the organization and then sent to us for further sharing.]

Over the past year, New Earth has continued to expand opportunity, healing, and economic mobility for Los Angeles County’s system-impacted and justice-involved youth.

With support from the Goldhirsh Foundation and LA2050, our Workforce Innovation programming, including New Earth Digital, hospitality training, and wraparound Clinical Services, has helped young people ages 18-25 gain industry-recognized skills, paid employment experience, and mental-health support to build stable, thriving futures.

Goals Met

The LA2050 grant supported New Earth’s goal to scale high-impact workforce and mental-health programs that prepare youth for sustainable careers.

During the October 2024 – October 2025 period, New Earth achieved the following results:

• Served 116 participants directly, meeting our enrollment target.
• Reached approximately 230 additional individuals indirectly through family engagement, employer partners, and community events.
• Expanded industry-specific pathways in digital media and hospitality.
• Maintained full delivery of wraparound clinical and case-management services.

Indicator Metrics Impacted

New Earth measures participant outcomes through its FREEE Model, tracking key indicators of long-term stability:

• Formally Free of System Involvement: 93% of youth remained free from re-offending
• Regularly Housed: 95% maintained stable housing
• Educationally Advanced: 87 % completed or continued high school or higher education
• Employable: 75 % completed certification and obtained employment or fellowship placement
• Emotionally Balanced: 75 % demonstrated improved emotional regulation and self-management

These results align with the baseline metrics outlined in New Earth’s approved proposal and confirm strong, consistent participant success.

During the grant period, New Earth engaged approximately 45 volunteers and mentors, including alumni and employer partners, who supported resume workshops, digital-skills sessions, and community events that helped participants complete training and secure employment. Recognition through LA2050 also strengthened New Earth’s visibility and credibility, catalyzing additional investment for workforce programming, including $100,000 from The Ahmanson Foundation, $75,000 through Boeing’s STAR System “Our Homes” grant, and approximately $50,000 in private donations. These commitments reinforced the sustainability of fellowship stipends and industry-training partnerships initially supported through LA2050.

Implementation

The project was implemented as outlined in the approved proposal.

Key activities included:

• Delivering New Earth Digital training and certification for youth pursuing careers in media, marketing, and design.
• Providing hospitality and customer-service training in partnership with local employers.
• Offering individual therapy and case-management services to ensure housing, food security, and mental-health stability.
• Preparing for the launch of the New Earth Café, a social enterprise and training site developed in collaboration with MillCross Coffee.

Adjustments were minimal and limited to scheduling accommodations for participants balancing school, probation, or childcare commitments.

Stories of Major Accomplishments

• Successful expansion of career-track training and paid fellowships in both digital and hospitality pathways.
• Strengthened partnerships with local workforce boards and creative-industry employers to provide job placements for graduates.
• Development of the New Earth Café business plan and partnership structure, completing a major preparatory step toward social-enterprise launch.
• Continued integration of Clinical Services within all workforce cohorts, ensuring that emotional readiness remains central to employment success.

Objectives and Outcomes

All objectives submitted in the 2024 LA2050 application were achieved:

• Identify additional in-demand industries to expand in-house training and paid fellowship/apprenticeship opportunities. New Earth expanded its Workforce Innovation programming to include additional high-growth sectors such as Information Technology (IT) and Sound Recording. Through New Earth Digital and FLOW Studio, participants now receive hands-on training in graphic design, user interface design, front-end web development using HTML and CSS, IT support, Microsoft 365 certification, sound production, and digital media content creation. These new pathways strengthen New Earth’s ability to prepare system-impacted youth for sustainable employment in Los Angeles’ creative and technical industries.
• Partner with local workforce boards to ensure accreditation of all apprenticeships. New Earth worked in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board, the Employment Development Department, and the Latino Coalition to align training with regional workforce priorities and ensure apprenticeships meet recognized industry standards. These collaborations help connect New Earth participants to broader county and state workforce systems, expanding access to credentialed, high-quality opportunities.
• Increase the number of companies employing our program participants by 25% by the end of 2025. New Earth strengthened its employer network to provide high-quality placements and professional mentorship for participants. Employer partners include Minuteman Press, Overcast Merch, Hunni Buzz, Collab Inc., and SewBy, which collectively represent opportunities across the design, merchandising, and production sectors. These relationships have expanded paid employment, internship, and fellowship options for New Earth graduates and supported a 25% increase in employer engagement.
• Scale our NE Digital and other Workforce programming to 120 youth annually. Building on the success of the LA2050-funded Workforce Innovation programming, New Earth scaled training and fellowship opportunities to reach approximately 120 youth annually. The program equips participants with technical, creative, and entrepreneurial skills in digital media and technology, preparing them for employment or self-employment through real client-based projects. Each youth also receives wraparound support, clinical care, and ongoing mentorship to ensure long-term stability and success.

Evaluation Process and Participant Feedback

Evaluation combined case notes, quarterly surveys, and the I-COPPE Well-Being Survey to measure change in employment readiness, stability, and emotional health.

Program data indicated high completion and satisfaction rates consistent with New Earth’s prior performance:

• Over 90 % of participants completed training requirements.
• The majority reported increased confidence and improved ability to manage stress.
• Employer feedback confirmed strong preparedness and professionalism among New Earth graduates.

Lessons Learned

Integrating mental-health support directly into workforce programming continues to be essential for participant retention and long-term success. Youth who received consistent care-management and therapeutic support demonstrated stronger attendance, graduation, and employment outcomes.

The year also reinforced the value of peer mentorship: alumni and advanced fellows provided guidance and encouragement to new participants, enhancing community connection and accountability.

Partnerships and Collaborations

New Earth deepened partnerships that advance training, placement, and support for youth, including:

• MillCross Coffee – partner in hospitality training and New Earth Café development.
• LA County of Youth Development – provides youth referrals and continuity-of-care support.
• Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity– supports credential alignment and workforce development resources.
• Culver City Chamber of Commerce – engages local businesses in job placement and mentorship.

Media and Public Recognition

LA2050 support contributed to increased visibility for New Earth’s mission. The organization’s programs were featured in local and regional media highlighting youth achievement and social-enterprise innovation.

Continuing the Work

New Earth will continue advancing this work beyond the LA2050 grant period by:

• Scaling Workforce Innovation programs to serve at least 120 youth annually. Launching and operating the New Earth Café as a permanent training and employment site.
• Expanding partnerships with industry employers and workforce boards to create accredited apprenticeship opportunities.
• Sustaining the integration of Clinical Services to ensure holistic participant outcomes.

These next steps build on the strong foundation established with LA2050 support and reinforce New Earth’s commitment to equitable access, economic empowerment, and healing for Los Angeles youth.

Through the LA2050 Grants Challenge, New Earth has strengthened its capacity to deliver life-changing opportunities for system-impacted young people. The partnership helped advance a proven, compassionate model that unites workforce readiness, mental-health care, and creative enterprise, ensuring that every participant has the tools to reimagine their future and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Los Angeles.