The New Department of Youth Development in LA County Launches Safe Healing Centers
In an effort to support the care-based service of helping youth heal from traumatic occurrences in LA County, the newly established Department of Youth Development has launched initial demonstration projects for a healing-centered, home-like alternative placement for youth called a Safe Healing Center. The initial focus population are girls and gender-expansive youth. This initial site will be operated by the women’s reentry organization, A New Way of Life.
Project Details
Project: Renovation, Residential
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Status: Under Construction
Spaces for: Survivors, Youth, Reentry Housing
Client: A New Way of Life
DJDS Team: Lucia Castello, Deanna Van Buren, Garrett Jacobs, Athena Do, Allison Wong, Landscape Design Subconsultant: Studio Moonya
Engagement Inspiration
Following two engagements with young women and ANWOL staff the four themes to the left emerged to guide the design decisions in this residential remodel. The project will also include significant landscape design and transformation to provide restorative and healing connections with nature.
Prior to designing this home DJDS engaged with the Department of Youth Development and the Haywood Burns Institute to establish trauma-informed design guidelines for all Safe Healing Centers. The purpose of these guidelines, developed through a series of engagements with program providers, systems impact youth, and DYD staff, was to ensure the environments that the new department was supporting aligned with the values set forth in the community led Youth Justice Reimagined organizing and final report.