Jovenes, Inc.

04/08/2025

We invite all who knew and loved Fr. Richard Estrada to join us in honoring his life and legacy.

Fr. Estrada dedicated his life to justice, compassion, and community. Let us gather to remember the man who gave so much to so many.

04/03/2025

Friends and colleagues in Los Angeles are mourning the death of Father Richard Estrada, whose decades of activism were infused with an unconditional commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations.

04/02/2025

El Padre Richard Estrada, un lidere de la comunidad Latina en Los Ángeles, falleció a los 83 años de edad. Gabriel Huerta reporta para Telemundo 52 a las 11 p.m. el martes, 1 de abril de 2025.

04/02/2025

Eastside leaders are mourning Father Richard Estrada, a lifelong advocate of youth, immigrants and social justice, after the announcement of his death on Tuesday.

04/02/2025

There will be a Mass in honor of Fr. Estrada on the evening of April 3rd at 7pm at the Church of the Epiphany- 2808 Altura St., 90031.

04/01/2025

🕊️ Remembering Fr. Richard Estrada 🕊️

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Fr. Richard Estrada, the Founder and Board President of Jovenes, Inc., a tireless advocate for youth experiencing homelessness, immigrant rights, and social justice. Fr. Richard passed away on March 31, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospital, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, advocacy, and service. He was 83 years old.

For over 30 years, Fr. Richard fought for marginalized youth and immigrant communities. In 1989, he founded Jovenes, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing housing, support, and empowerment for youth facing homelessness. His vision led to the creation of Jovenes’ “Learning to Live Campus” in Boyle Heights, which continues to help hundreds of young people each year find stability and opportunity throughout Southern California.

Beyond Jovenes, Fr. Richard was a champion for social justice. He stood alongside César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the Chicano and Farmworkers Rights Movements, fighting for dignity and fair treatment of workers. His activism extended to immigrant rights, faith-based advocacy, and direct action, including his leadership in the New Sanctuary National Movement.

As a pastor and spiritual leader, Fr. Richard served at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church (La Placita) and later as Assistant Vicar at the Church of the Epiphany. His lifelong commitment to service earned him widespread recognition, including:
🏆 “Giant of Justice” Award (CLUE-LA, 2008)
🏆 Commendations from the Los Angeles City Council & LA County Board of Supervisors
🏆 Hispanic Heritage Month Local Hero Award (KCET, 2013)
🏆 Garfield High School Hall of Fame Induction

Fr. Richard’s legacy of justice, love, and service will continue to inspire us. Details on memorial services and ways to honor his life will be shared soon.

Rest in power, Fr. Richard. 💙✊

02/20/2025

We were glad to be part of yesterday's Greater Los Angeles Coalition on Homelessness meeting with Mayor Karen Bass. As a community of providers, it's important we speak with a clear in consistent voice to partner on homeless solutions with our elected officials.

06/28/2024

We know progress is possible because homeless service providers, including Jovenes, helped to rehouse 27,951people in a single year – an all-time record for LA County’s homeless response system. Greater investment in affordable housing is the key to reducing homelessness!

01/03/2024

“The number of folks who exit homelessness is around 900,000 in a year, but 910,000 become homeless over the course of that same year. The system doesn’t have the capacity to meet the increased inflow caused by the affordable housIng crisis."

Data from the 2023 point-in-time count show that around one-third of all people experiencing homelessness nationwide are chronically homeless.

01/01/2024

What a year! 2023 has been an exciting time of growth for Jovenes! This year we housed 675 youth and students within our continuum of care, a 30% increase over 2022. Over 92% of those youth maintained or increased their housing stability! What an amazing year. We can't wait to continue this growth in 2024!

12/30/2023

The Peace, Hope, & Assurance Idelle recieved from Jovenes are what got her through the most difficult time in her life. With your support, Jovenes is able to share these invualble gifts to unhoused youth throughout the Los Angeles area. Through the end of the year, your donation to Jovenes will be automatically DOUBLED! These funds will go directly to assisting young people like Idelle.

https://givebutter.com/TCRmatch/jovenes