Goal! Our Youth Are Winning in Tech

Los Angeles, CA, June 24th, 2026.

Light Work: Youth Turn Ideas Into App Innovation

Living Advantage, Inc. recently hosted our Light Work: Build an App, Community & Career workshop, bringing together 19 participants across our Reentry and LAYC programs.

The workshop allowed youth to explore how technology can solve real community problems, create career pathways, and turn ideas into impact. Participants learned from Shannon Munford, creator of the LA Streetlight App, who shared his experience building a community-focused digital tool and encouraged youth to think creatively about the problems they want to solve.

We were also excited to welcome the winners of the Reimagine LA Streetlights Art Competition, who showed up to meet Shannon and participate in the workshop (pictured above). This wonderful surprise made the session even more meaningful.

As part of the workshop activity, participants created and pitched their own app ideas, including:

$tylin — an app that helps users match their outfits with the weather.

SafePassagE — an app designed to support gang members who want to exit gang life successfully.

SAFE LA — an app concept to provide ICE alerts and community updates

+ an app that helps connect people with emotional support animals.

In total, youth developed four app ideas, and four participants won cash prizes and Raising Cane’s gifts for their creativity, engagement, and participation.

A huge thank you to Shannon Munford, Inspire Together, Raising Cane's, our participants, and everyone who helped make this workshop a success. We look forward to continuing the conversation in Part 2: How to Make the Money in Tech & App Creation - July 27, 2026!

SUPPORT US!

Whether you work in tech, sports, entertainment, business, real estate, finance, health, education, or the arts, our youth need to see what success looks like. Show up. Rep your industry. Help our young people see the careers, pathways, and possibilities available to them.

Reach out to be a guest speaker or support our future workshops: outreach@livingadvantageinc.org