August 20th, 2025

Our snapshot is a comprehensive data brief highlighting mentoring efforts across Los Angeles County that support youth impacted by foster care, juvenile justice, and other public systems. This report provides a high-level overview of 20 mentoring programs, showcasing key insights on program types, youth age ranges served, recruitment and referral strategies, mentor engagement approaches, and persistent challenges faced in the field.

With over 1,600 youth served and nearly 800 open slots across the region, this snapshot offers valuable data and real-world context to inform collaborative strategies and strengthen mentoring ecosystems. Whether you're a practitioner, policymaker, funder, or community partner, we invite you to explore the findings and use them to support stronger, more equitable pathways for systems-impacted youth in Los Angeles County.

Launched in December 2023, the Youth Mentoring Nexus (YMN) is a youth-driven network committed to improving access to mentorship for systems-impacted youth in Los Angeles County. This inaugural impact report highlights YMN’s innovative cross-sector collaboration, the leadership of its Visionaries youth board, and strategic initiatives that connected over 1,600 youth to mentorship opportunities. Key achievements include 12 cross-sector convenings, a learning-in-action community, data-informed systems improvements, and new referral pathways through DCFS. The report also outlines exciting plans for 2025, including in-person gatherings, expanded learning communities, and a new Program Finder Tool.

Explore how YMN is transforming mentoring through authentic youth engagement and systemic advocacy.