Support - Learn - Thrive - Game
Advance
Together.
In May, 2024, Amity Foundation funded Living Advantage Youth Center (LAYC) that was opened in LA! It's a vibrant space where kids will come to hang out, get help with their education, receive tutoring, and access mental health support. Join us in this amazing new adventure! We will provide a comprehensive range of services at no cost:
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Educational Support
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Career Development
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Relaxation and Socialization
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Community Events and Activities
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Resource Center
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Gaming- Join us for FREE gaming every weekday from 1–5 PM at LAYC! With Living Advantage case managers nearby, you’ll stay safe and have fun! For prizes, great vibes, or a chill spot to play with friends, LAYC is the place to be.
The V.A.L.E.™ Program helps increase grade levels and on-time graduation through hybrid (virtual and in-person) academic support. In partnership with the USC K-12 STEM Center, LA, Inc. provides tutoring, workshops, life skills training, and career exposure aligned with Engineering and Design Technology Education Standards & Framework. Many workshops are hosted at the Living Advantage Youth Center (LAYC) and partnering schools, including Manual Arts Sr. High School, while virtual options ensure consistent access to mentoring, workforce readiness, and resources that prepare youth for independence and future careers.
Our V.A.L.E.™ workshops give foster and at-risk youth the tools to succeed in real-life money, jobs, and mindset. Whether we’re talking resumes, paychecks, or investing, we keep it real and keep it useful. Each session is open to youth and adults. Free pizza. Gift cards. No fluff. Go Live & Get Paid!!!
Services and Workshops.
Join our creative workshops to cultivate and enhance your vocational abilities and foster your artistic talents. We believe that music holds the power to ignite positive change and spark joy into the lives of those who participate through learning and gaming.
Education
Quiet study spaces with computers, internet, and tutors for homework help, plus workshops in math, science, and language arts.
Career
Our VIP Career Match Program helps foster youth build skills, explore careers, and connect with real employers—so they can graduate ready to get hired.
Gaming
Explore gaming, streaming, and tech skills at the Living Advantage Youth Center. Learn how games work, connect through play, and build your future in gaming!
Socialization
A safe haven with lounge areas, games, and activities for kids to unwind and interact.
Resources
Access to information on housing, healthcare, legal aid, and other services to empower families navigating the foster care system.
Activities
Movie nights, cultural celebrations, guest speakers, and field trips to foster a sense of belonging.
Youth Center.
Located in the Crenshaw Corridor, where over 200% of residents live below the poverty line. Just two blocks from one of California’s lowest-ranked high schools and adjacent to a major bus stop, we are uniquely positioned to support foster youth and justice-involved young adults with the tools they need to build thriving businesses and join gaming communities.
Owned by our board member and Executive Director’s daughter, Dominique Sawyer, through W.H. Sawyer & Company, Inc., the building is accessed via the side door—take the stairs to the third door on the right. Inside, you’ll find a main room with seating, desks, computers, a projector, TV, and a dedicated gaming/streaming area.
