WHAT IS ReLAY?
A CSU5 initiative headquartered at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Reconnecting LA Youth (ReLAY) Institute is a collaboration of public, private and philanthropic agencies from across Los Angeles County.
We define “opportunity youth” as those who are…
Foster Youth-
Ages 14 to 24
Homeless Youth-
Ages 16 to 24
Juvenile and Criminal Justice System- Ages 16 to 24
Youth Who have Dropped Out of School- Ages 16 to 24
CROSS-SECTOR SUPPORT
Foster ongoing and robust cross-disciplinary and multi-university research, special projects, curriculum development and partnerships with industries, public systems and economic and community development organizations focused on supporting opportunity youth throughout the region.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Strengthen the collective capacity of regional public and private systems, to provide wraparound services and support a transformative seamless service delivery system to improve education, employment, and social outcomes specifically for foster, homeless, out of school or youth on probation.
PARTNERSHIP BUILDING
Create a long-term partnership between the CSU5 and public and private systems serving opportunity youth to support regional networks for collective engagement, collaboration and integration of existing and emerging programs and initiatives serving opportunity youth.
ADVANCING INNOVATION
Highlight regional innovative approaches and strategies that will shape and inform federal, state and philanthropic funding and initiatives that will effectively support opportunity youth.
FORTIFYING NETWORKS
Create a network for collective engagement, collaboration, and integration of existing and emerging programs initiatives serving opportunity youth.
CREATING SOLUTIONS
Create a platform to identify pressing issues, brainstorm solutions and elicit information to aid in the development of strategies that will enhance the capacity of institutions and communities to implement effective services supporting opportunity youth.
CONNECTIVITY
Draw together expertise from the CSU5, public system and nonprofit partners that would develop new models, seek special projects funding and provide long-term research and education resources.