The L.A. Unified Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC), co-convened by UNITE-LA, is thrilled to welcome six new members–Sidra Dudley, Daniel Allbee, Rosa Jimenez, Ingrid Villeda, Esteban Zaragoza and Alyssa Moore–to the 2025-26 committee. Each new member brings a wealth of passion and expertise that will help steer the sustainability of the Community Schools Initiative (CSI), ensuring it continues to thrive and enhance our schools.

The L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative hosted a Community of Practice on Aug. 5 focused on the impact of College Promise programs across Los Angeles. The session, convened by UNITE-LA, explored strategies for strengthening student-centered infrastructure and scaling equity-driven approaches for counselors, Promise Coordinators and student support professionals.

As co-convener of the Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC), UNITE-LA is driving progress on the Horizons 32K regional roadmap for Opportunity Youth, which aims to reduce youth disconnection by 32,000 by 2028. Two impact initiatives emerging from this roadmap—High School Transitions and Earn & Learn—brought together cross-sector partners this September to tackle barriers, strengthen student transitions and expand health care career pathways.

A subcommittee of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC) is advancing implementation of the Meaningful Teaching and Learning (MTL) Resolution for five designated community schools: 24th Street Elementary School, 93rd Street Elementary School, Lucille Roybal Elementary School, Walnut Park Elementary School and Marlton SPAN School. To ensure these schools are fully equipped for the 2025–26 academic year, UNITE-LA has prepared key practices and guidance, drawn from expert interviews with educators experienced in project-based learning (PBL) and alternative assessments, to support their planning and effective implementation.

In August, UNITE-LA’s Education Means Business policy webinar series brought together Assemblymember Mike Fong (AD-49); California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Stewart Knox; and L.A. Metro's Principal Talent Development Specialist, Tai Alimi, to discuss the state’s new Master Plan for Career Education and its potential impact on education and workforce pathways across the state.

Over the past three months, UNITE-LA has partnered with the L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative (L.A. OYC) to build a shared foundation for using data to drive systems change in L.A. County’s child welfare system. Through a series of trainings with both foster youth leaders and staff in the Department of Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) new Youth Engagement Section (YES), the L.A. OYC is co-designing a set of priority metrics that will guide continuous improvement and accountability for transition-age youth outcomes.

The Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL), has secured a $25,000 Digital Equity Spark Grant from the Michelson 20MM Foundation. With this support, UNITE-LA will launch community broadband pilots in Pacoima and the Antelope Valley, two regions where affordability and access remain among the most persistent barriers to digital equity. Partnering with local coalitions, UNITE-LA will support the launch of public broadband models that are grounded in community leadership and resident input, ensuring solutions reflect the lived experiences of those most impacted by digital redlining.

As the City of Los Angeles moves forward with the consolidation of the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the Youth Development Department (YDD) into the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), UNITE-LA is advocating for a thoughtful, youth-centered transition. In response to Mayor Bass’ FY 2025–26 proposed budget, we submitted a public comment urging L.A. City Council to pause and allow more time for analysis and community dialogue before implementing this significant restructuring.

UNITE-LA is thrilled to officially announce the release of Centering Youth, Strengthening Systems: A Case Study on Workforce Engagement for Opportunity Youth. The groundbreaking report, developed by the L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC), dives deep into the persistent barriers preventing opportunity youth from fully participating in workforce development programs. From limited outreach and confusing enrollment processes to misaligned program offerings, the report sheds light on the systemic challenges faced by youth. The study also describes promising, youth-informed solutions, such as warm handoffs between referring adults and workforce staff and youth-centered communication and program design.

The Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL) was selected to receive a Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Broadband Help Hub (BHH) technical assistance award to support five community broadband network projects in historically underserved areas of Los Angeles County. Projects include the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) in Pico Union, the City and School District of Lynwood Community Broadband Network, the City of Huntington Park Community Broadband Network, the Pacoima Digital Equity Project and the Antelope Valley Community Broadband Network. The partnership marks a pivotal milestone in LA DEAL’s mission to advance community-led broadband solutions—ensuring they truly reflect and serve the needs of local residents.