Volunteers of America Gang Reduction & Youth Development

- 5139 Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90037

In a dynamic and diverse metropolitan area like Los Angeles, community resources that foster positive change are invaluable. The facility known as

Volunteers of America Gang Reduction & Youth Development (GRYD)

This Los Angeles-based facility serves as a beacon of hope, providing comprehensive, wraparound services directly focused on life stabilization, mental health, education, and employment. The emphasis on physical fitness and recreational activities—including

sports

community activities

recreation

Location and Accessibility: A Critical Community Hub

The Volunteers of America GRYD center is strategically situated in a neighborhood where its services are most needed, making it a pivotal community fixture in South Los Angeles. The address is

5139 Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA

Accessibility is a key operational standard for a public-serving organization like Volunteers of America, ensuring that all community members can reach the support they need:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: Provides easy access to the facility for all clients and staff.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Ensures convenient and safe parking for individuals with mobility challenges.

This focus on physical accessibility ensures that the facility’s comprehensive support services—which are critical for young Angelenos facing complex challenges—are not hindered by logistical barriers. The presence of the center in the community provides a permanent, local resource for transformation and resilience.

Services Offered: A Wraparound Approach to Life Development

The services offered by the Volunteers of America GRYD program are not merely fitness-related; they are an intensive, multi-phased program of intervention and prevention designed to address the root causes of vulnerability and promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Physical fitness is a vital component of the "Recreation" and "Activities" part of their model, used to build confidence, teamwork, and pro-social engagement.

Core services and holistic programs include:

• Individualized Case Management: Comprehensive, long-term support to assess client needs and connect them with essential resources, often using the Social Embeddedness Tool (SET) to measure progress.
• Counseling and Mental Health Referrals: Providing trauma-informed, strength-based counseling and referrals for mental health and substance abuse issues to promote emotional stability.
• Life Skills Classes: Educational workshops essential for independence, including

  Anger/Anxiety/Stress Management

  ,

  Financial Literacy

  ,

  Job Readiness/Leads

  ,

  Parenting

  , and

  Self Awareness/Motivation

  .
• Education and Employment Assistance: Helping clients connect with

  WorkSource

  and

  YouthSource

  services, resume building, and job training to improve economic stability.
• Recreation and Physical Fitness: Organizing

  Sports

  (like basketball, softball, and soccer leagues) and other

  Activities

  such as

  Art & Music Projects

  ,

  Field Trips

  , and

  Cultural Events

  to provide positive alternatives and a safe space.
• Housing and Shelter Assistance: Providing referrals and support for temporary and permanent housing solutions, addressing homelessness among youth.
• Legal and Medical Support: Assistance with legal services, court support (like

  Community Service (Probation)

  completion), and referrals for medical, dental, and

  Tattoo Removal

  services.
• Mentorships: Connecting youth with trained, caring adult mentors to provide positive role models and guidance.

Features and Highlights: Impact and Community Focus

The most distinguishing features of the Volunteers of America GRYD program are its proven methodology and its profound impact on the local Los Angeles community. These highlights resonate strongly with California users who value civic engagement and evidence-based solutions to social challenges.

Key Features and Highlights:

• Integrated Model for Transformation: The program focuses on *intervention* (for gang-involved youth 14-25) and *prevention* (for high-risk youth 10-15), ensuring a complete continuum of care within the community.
• Critical Pro-Social Skill Building: The center offers Life Skills classes crucial for long-term success, helping clients develop self-awareness, financial literacy, and problem-solving abilities.
• Pathways to Professional Careers: The facility serves as a training ground for future professionals; one former volunteer highlighted gaining "experience in case management" and being "motivated to pursue higher education in Marriage and Family Therapy," underscoring the organization's role in developing the next generation of California social workers.
• Commitment to Safety and Peacemaking: The GRYD model involves proactive peacekeeping efforts, incident response, and coordination with community partners and the LAPD to reduce the potential for retaliation and violence in the neighborhood.
• Holistic Support: By offering everything from tattoo removal to job readiness to sports, the center provides comprehensive, wrap-around care that addresses every barrier a young person might face in rebuilding their life.

Contact Information: Connect and Support the Mission

For local Los Angeles residents looking to access services, volunteer, or inquire about the GRYD programs:

Address:

5139 Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA

(323) 688-7705

+1 323-688-7705

The helpline operates 24/7, with the center typically open during business hours (M-F: 10am-6:30pm), demonstrating a readiness to respond to immediate needs and ongoing support requests.

What Makes This Center Worth Choosing

For Californians, choosing to engage with the Volunteers of America GRYD center is an opportunity to participate in or support one of the most vital social programs in Los Angeles. It is worth choosing because it offers far more than the physical training implied by the generic "Gym" type; it offers

transformation

For youth and young adults in the targeted Los Angeles area, this center is an irreplaceable resource for escaping violence, gaining self-sufficiency, and truly rebuilding their lives. For local professionals, the center provides rewarding and career-defining

volunteer opportunities with youth

Volunteers of America Gang Reduction & Youth Development

5139 Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA