Gryd Foundation

THE GRYD FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT EVERY YOUTH, REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER, OR GEOGRAPHY, SHOULD HAVE THE RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND SYSTEMS TO GROW UP AND TO LEAD HEALTHY, FULFILLING LIVES. OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE A SAFER, HEALTHIER LOS ANGELES WITH A FOCUS ON HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HEAVILY IMPACTED BY GANG VIOLENCE AND THAT OFTEN LACK RESOURCES DUE TO RACIAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC INEQUITIES.

IN 2021 THE GRYD FOUNDATION AND MAYOR'S GRYD OFFICE CONTINUED TO MODIFY SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS (SNL) AND FALL FRIDAY NIGHTS (FFN) PROGRAMMING TO COMPLY WITH COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES WHILE RESPONDING TO THE RELATED ECONOMIC CRISIS. BECAUSE FAMILIES RELY ON GRYD FOR MEALS, FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, AND FOR SUMMER WORK AND THE SNL WORK EXPERIENCE, WE SET OUT TO OFFER THREE CORE SERVICES DURING SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS 2021 AND INTO THE FALL, PLUS A YOUTH HIRING COMPONENT: DISTRIBUTION OF GRAB-AND-GO BAGS FILLED WITH FOOD STAPLES AND PRODUCE TO PROMOTE HEALTHY NUTRITION AND ASSIST FAMILIES FACING FOOD INSECURITY DUE TO COVID-19 AND ECONOMIC CRISIS SPORTS PICK-UP GAMES TWICE PER WEEK ACROSS ALL SITES ONLINE AND ON-SITE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS INCLUDING ARTS, CULINARY, WELLNESS, FITNESS AND EDUCATIONAL SKILLS CLASSES 19 YOUTH WORKERS WERE HIRED BY THE GRYD FOUNDATION TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE ABOVE-NOTED CORE PROGRAMMING SERVICESSUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS 2021 HIGHLIGHTS: THE GRYD FOUNDATION HIRED 19 YOUTH WORKERS, 2 SITE LEADS & 4 OUTREACH WORKERS 68 GRAB AND GO DISTRIBUTION EVENTS (30 RECREATION AND PARKS FACILITIES & 2 PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS) 13,600 BAGS OF FOOD STAPLES 13,600 BOXES OF FRESH PRODUCE 26 ON-SITE ART WORKSHOPS AND 48 FITNESS/ZUMBA CLASSES SPORTS PICK GAMES (SOCCER OR BASKETBALL) ACROSS ALL SITES TWICE A WEEKFALL FRIDAY NIGHTS 2021 HIGHLIGHTS: THE GRYD FOUNDATION HIRED 12 YOUTH WORKERS AND 2 OUTREACH WORKERS 34 GRAB AND GO DISTRIBUTION EVENTS (15 RECREATION AND PARKS FACILITIES & 2 PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS) 13,800 BAGS OF DRY GOODS DISTRIBUTED OFFERED 36 ART WORKSHOPS; 503 PARTICIPANTS PARTNERED WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS; OFFERED 6 WORKSHOPS; 79 PARTICIPANTS PARTNERED WITH SKATEBUD; OFFERED 7 SKATE WORKSHOPS; 110 PARTICIPANTSYOUTH SQUAD 360 HIGHLIGHTS:YOUTH SQUAD 360 CONTINUES TO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, GROUP WORKSHOPS, AND PEER-TO-PEER MENTORING VIRTUALLY THROUGH VIDEO/ONLINE TECHNOLOGY AND IN-PERSON WHEN SAFE PER PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES. THE FOCUS IS ON ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS AND IDENTIFYING OBSTACLES TO YOUTH SUCCESS, HELPING YOUTH LEARN HOW TO SET AND PURSUE SMART GOALS RELATED TO ACADEMICS, EMPLOYMENT/CAREER AND WELLNESS, AND INCREASING JOB SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT READINESS, SOFT SKILLS, AND CAREER PATHWAYS; EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO HELP YOUTH NAVIGATE SYSTEMS AND ATTAIN THEIR DEGREES; LIFE MENTORING; NORMALIZING TALKING ABOUT AND PURSUING SELF-CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH; PAYING FOR LESSONS TO HELP YOUTH GET THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE; ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS; RESOURCES AND RESOURCE CONNECTIONS TO ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS (FOOD SECURITY, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH) AND CONNECTIONS TO OTHER VETTED RESOURCES.DURING THE PAST YEAR, THERE WERE 63 YOUTH ENROLLED IN YOUTH SQUAD 360. THERE WERE 286 CASE MANAGEMENT MEETINGS WITH THESE YOUTH. WE CONDUCTED 12 VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS AND ONE IN-PERSON HIKE. WE ALSO REFERRED 10 YOUTH TO OUR CONTRACTED LCSW FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. NICKERSON GARDENS BOXING + BASKETBALL + ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT HIGHLIGHTS:IN 2021, THE GRYD FOUNDATION EXPANDED THE PANDEMIC-LIMITED SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS TWO-DAY A WEEK SPORTS MODEL BY OFFERING NO-CONTACT BOXING TRAINING, BASKETBALL TRAINING AND LEAGUE PLAY FIVE DAYS A WEEK AT NICKERSON GARDENS PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT -- FURTHER ENCOURAGING FITNESS AND POSITIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR 105 YOUTH PARTICIPANTS PLUS EMPLOYMENT OF AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 10 NICKERSON GARDENS RESIDENTS. TO ALLEVIATE FINANCIAL BURDENS AND TO LIFT SPIRITS DURING THE PANDEMIC, GRYD FOUNDATION GRILLED HOT DOGS AND HAMBURGERS FOR YOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; DISTRIBUTED 100 GRAB-AND-GO FOOD BAGS EACH FRIDAY MORNING; DISTRIBUTED 67 CASES OF TURKEYS PLUS 100 GRAB-AND-GO FOOD BAGS FOR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS; HOSTED A SENIOR'S DINNER AND BINGO EVENT; AND PROVIDED STAFFING IN SUPPORT OF A TOY, SHOE AND HOODIE GIVEAWAY WITH COMMUNITY HOLIDAY DINNER.