Our Work

Inspiring youth to lead with passion and purpose

For over 75 years, East LA Rising has empowered young people across our community. We create safe spaces where youth discover their potential, build meaningful skills, and develop the confidence to drive positive change. Through youth development, mentorship, and leadership programs, we're equipping the next generation of East LA leaders.

Four pillars of youth empowerment

Integrated pathways to purpose

We organize our work around core pillars because youth development is interconnected. Academic success builds confidence for leadership. Health and wellness enable full participation in community. We treat those connections as essential to our mission, not separate concerns.

01

Youth Development & Leadership

We inspire young people to discover their potential through mentoring, academic support, and leadership programs that equip them to lead with passion and purpose.

02

Leadership & Growth

We equip young people with skills, confidence, and mentorship to discover their potential and lead with purpose in their communities.

03

Leadership & Purpose

We equip young people with the confidence, skills, and vision to lead with passion in their communities and shape futures driven by meaningful change.

04

Community Leadership

We empower young people to become advocates and leaders who drive positive change in East Los Angeles and inspire their peers to build stronger communities.

05

Leadership & Mentorship

We connect youth with trusted mentors and role models who inspire them to discover their voice, build confidence, and lead with passion in their communities.

Our approach to youth development

How we inspire and equip young leaders

Step 01

Inspire

We start by listening to youth and families in East Los Angeles, understanding their dreams and challenges. Every program begins with the voices and experiences of those we serve.

Step 02

Empower

Comprehensive youth development paired with mentorship and opportunity. We invest in young leaders' growth over time, building skills and confidence that last a lifetime.

Step 03

Connect

We bring together youth, families, and community partners to share what works. When young people lead with purpose, their impact spreads-inspiring peers and strengthening East LA together.

Step 04

Lead

Youth discover their voices and develop confidence to inspire others. By creating pathways for young people to take action, we build leaders who drive meaningful change in East Los Angeles and beyond.

East LA Rising convenes youth, families, educators, and community partners throughout the year for programs and initiatives that empower young people to discover their passion and lead with purpose.

East LA Rising's approach

Who we are and how we serve

For over 75 years, we've been clear about our mission: inspiring youth to lead with passion and purpose. Here's what you can expect when you partner with East LA Rising.

What we are

A youth-centered organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation of East LA leaders.
A champion of young people's potential, equipping them with skills and confidence to shape their futures.
A bridge between aspiration and opportunity, combining mentorship with hands-on programming.
A steady presence since 1950. For over 76 years, we've been a consistent force in our community.
A measure of real impact. We track outcomes that matter-youth growth, community engagement, and lasting change.

What we are not

A one-off program-we've invested in youth since 1950.
A replacement for community organizations; we partner and collaborate.
A lobbying or partisan-political organization.
A consultant or external advisor removed from the work.
Hands-off-we're rooted in East LA, committed to our young people.

Get Involved

Join East LA Rising in inspiring youth to lead

Whether you're an organization committed to youth development, a community partner ready to support our mission, or a donor interested in fueling purpose-driven change in East Los Angeles, we'd love to connect and explore how we can work together.

Start a Conversation Explore Programs