Building youth power to prevent and end youth homelessness
About Our Home Page Video: This clip is from the documentary Close to Home
Executive produced by Patrisse Cullors (@osopepatrisse) with filmmaker Whitney Gauge (@whitneyskauge).
This project was developed and filmed during Patrisse’s time as Creative Strategist for the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture (@lacountyarts) alongside the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative.
About
LA Emissary is changing how Los Angeles responds to youth homelessness.
We position young people with lived experience as decision-makers, supporting and empowering them to shape funding, policy, and systems that directly impact their lives. As a project of Community Initiatives, LA Emissary builds youth leadership across Los Angeles County, equips young people with advocacy and systems knowledge, and brings funders, providers, and government partners into shared decision-making with youth. Our work is rooted in the belief that solutions are strongest when the people most impacted lead the way.
60+
young leaders
8
SPA Teams
$4.8M
Youth Directed Funds
La’Toya Cooper
Our Team
LA Emissary is a collective of young Angelenos rewriting how Los Angeles responds to youth homelessness. We’re dismantling old systems, redistributing power, and building a culture of collaboration where youth, providers, funders, and policymakers share the table as equals.
Travis Crown
Whimzi Ha
Dashayna Heath
Detrell
Leanndra Martinez
Taneil Franklin
Alexandro Zambrano-Tamayo
SPA Teams
From Antelope Valley to South Bay, youth are leading change locally.
