Fueling the Future of Youth Justice
Young people thrive when they’re surrounded by supportive adults, strong community resources, and real second chances. When youth rise, entire communities become stronger, healthier, and safer.
In the fall of 2025, Liberty Hill launched the Youth Incubation Academy program, an investment in the next generation of grassroots organizations leading the charge for youth justice in Los Angeles County.
Funded by the County of Los Angeles Department of Youth Development (DYD), the program is now halfway through its inaugural year, supporting community-rooted youth-focused organizations serving local youth in the highest-need areas of LA County.
This month, Liberty Hill and our consulting partners at Cities & People Advisors—a women-of-color owned evaluation and strategy firm—hosted its second in-person convening. The full day brought grantee organizations together for a capacity building training, hands-on technical support, and a collaborative strategy session to help sharpen their organizational goals and amplify their impact.
The program combines retreat-style training, one-on-one coaching, and peer learning—equipping rising activists and frontline organizations with the tools, skills, and infrastructure they need to grow their impact and accelerate their growth.
Marshall Coleman II, founder of Boys of Optimism Manhood, a Youth Incubation Academy grantee and rising non-profit dedicated to mentoring boys growing up in a home without a father figure, shared how impactful the one-on-one coaching has been for him.
“There are certain days where I’m kind of down about what’s going on, and my coach has helped guide me back to the purpose, making sure I know where I’m going,” he said. Coleman continued, “My coach has made sure my mental space—before anything else—is in a good place first. That’s been the most important thing.”
The County of Los Angeles Department of Youth Development represents a historic investment in youth wellbeing and development, one focused on young people and communities who have been impacted by structural racism, poverty, and criminalization.
Born out of years of advocacy from frontline youth justice organizers, DYD anchors the county’s “care first” vision by shifting resources away from punitive systems and into youth development, diversion, restorative justice, and community-based support.
