Since 2012, The GRYD Foundation has been addressing food insecurity, violence and racial and socio-economic injustices in historically marginalized Los Angeles communities. Founded in 2012, The GRYD Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit public charity and core implementation partner with the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development (GRYD.) Together, The GRYD Foundation an
d City GRYD Office address violence, food insecurity and health/wellness disparities in City-designated Gang Reduction & Youth Development (GRYD) Zones, designated as such due to high rates of gang-related violence, and limited work opportunities and community resources, rendering youth susceptible to gang influence. We believe that every youth, regardless of race, gender or geography, should have the resources, opportunities and systems to grow up to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. No one should be limited or defined based on the zip code where they grow up. GRYD programming includes Summer Night Lights, Fall Friday Nights, and Youth Squad 360. Summer Night Lights (SNL) started in 2008 serving 8 locations and expanding to 32 in 2011. SNL keeps 32 recreation centers open after hours Wednesday’s - Friday’s 7pm-11pm during the summer. Formerly gang affiliated individuals (intervention workers) working with community members and law enforcement to create safe spaces to engage residents of all ages and genders in the free arts, sports, cultural and civic engagement activities. SNL intervention workers and staff work with community members to identify possible roadblocks and problem-solve any challenges presented in order to provide communities with economic opportunity and resources. Besides 90 site leaders and administrative staff, SNL hires and trains 320-360 youth from the surrounding communities who help inform and implement programming. SNL also relies on collaborative partnerships that reflect the cultural norms and histories of the communities served by GRYD. These approaches promote non-violence, social equity, and a culturally informed approach to services. Because families rely on GRYD for meals, for violence prevention activities, and for summer work and the Summer Night Lights work experience, during the pandemic we pivoted to offer five core components:
-Grab-and-go food staples to promote healthy nutrition and assist families facing food insecurity due to COVID-19 and economic crisis
-Grab-and-go activity kits with arts supplies, fitness equipment, informational resources.
-Online engagement through arts, culinary, fitness, wellness and workforce skills classes.
-Youth workers hired to help implement the above-noted core programming services — providing youth with income and valuable work experience and resource connections.
-Youth Squad 360 case management services to help youth workers address trauma, build healthy coping skills, and learn to goal set and navigate systems
