Kamlager-Dove Delivers $1.6M to Local Organizations Supporting Housing, Community Safety, and Foster Youth During Youth Justice Action Month
LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman presented two checks totaling $1.6 million to Amity Foundation and Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Los Angeles (CASA/LA), two organizations in the district working to support youth and adults in the child welfare and justice systems. These organizations are two of fifteen that Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove secured a total of $12.4 million for through Fiscal Year 2024 government funding legislation. Photos and videos from the event are here.
Amity Foundation received $1,000,000 for the Amistad de Los Angeles residential re-entry facility, a housing project that supports currently incarcerated men on the path to re-entry and recovery. This funding allows for the renovation of the existing facility to increase the capacity to serve a greater number of individuals (26 new beds) and significantly improve the standard of housing for the current 184 residents.
CASA/LA received $640,000 for the Transition Age Youth Program, which serves youth 12-17 and non-minor dependents 18-21 in the child welfare system at risk of entry or re-entry into the justice system. CASA volunteers provide crucial one-on-one support and court advocacy to ensure the youth’s best interests are represented in legal proceedings. In addition to their legal advocacy, CASA volunteers help youth navigate essential services such as education, housing, job training, and employment opportunities, empowering them to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
"Supporting those most at-risk in our community, including foster youth and formerly incarcerated individuals, requires comprehensive wraparound services to get our neighbors through critical turning points in their lives," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. "Through the continuum of care they provide, Amity and CASA/LA unlock access to crucial resources, including housing, jobs programs, and courtroom advocacy for youth and adults in the child welfare and justice systems, setting them on a strong path toward stability and success. I was proud to secure this funding because I know expanding these organizations' services will uplift our community members as they transition into a new phase of life and, ultimately, keep our communities safe."
“The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering avenues of opportunity for our young people. I would like to thank Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove for her leadership,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “These resources will help stabilize youth who are homeless, and there’s no better investment.”
“Resources like this are vital to the transformation of the lives of our students and well-being of our entire community,” said Doug Bond, CEO of Amity Foundation. “Having safe environments creates sanctuaries for our students to heal, and our Amistad de Los Angeles campus will continue to be a space for learning and growth in our community with the continued support and leadership of Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove.”
“We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove for her generous support and commitment to the young people we serve. This grant will significantly enhance our ability to provide critical court advocacy and comprehensive support services to youth in foster care, especially Transition Age Youth and those who have contact with the juvenile justice system,” said Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole, CEO of CASA of Los Angeles. “By focusing on individualized one-on-one support, education, and trauma-informed care, we can help break the cycle of re-entry into the justice system. CASA advocacy will help young people make positive life choices, which in turn strengthens families and communities, and enhances public safety.Together, we are fostering long-term change that builds a stronger, more equitable future for our children in care.”
Following the press conference, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and representatives from Amity Foundation and CASA of Los Angeles participated in a roundtable discussion focused on understanding current gaps in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other federal partners.
ABOUT AMITY FOUNDATION
Founded in 1981 in Tucson, AZ, Amity Foundation is a California 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves individuals, families, and children. Amity began as a therapeutic community and has evolved into a teaching community. Our mission is to foster personal growth, emotional literacy and social responsibility for our students, as well as improve their physical health through nutrition and wellness. These create the fertile ground for students' success in gaining employment, housing, furthering education, and reuniting families.
ABOUT CASA OF LOS ANGELES
CASA of Los Angeles organizes the community to take action and advocate for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Through an intentional, restorative, and culturally relevant lens, CASA/LA trains committed, consistent, and caring adults who provide equitable access to resources and life-affirming connections.
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