To develop young men who build meaningful futures and become the role models their communities can depend on.
Life Row is a planned afterschool community where young men enter as a class, grow together, and graduate together. Our work is shaped by the teachings of Jesus.
Too many young people face pain, pressure, and difficult decisions without a community consistently involved in their lives. Access to care, constructive outlets, and people who open doors too often depends on what their family can afford.
We welcome East LA’s boys and young men who need people in their corner, including those navigating probation, gang involvement, conflict at home, or uncertainty about their future.
Anger, distrust, and challenging behavior call for patient relationships, clear boundaries, and dependable support. A young man’s hardest moment does not erase his worth or decide who he can become.
Violence among youth
In 2020, males accounted for 80% of youth violent-crime arrests, including 92% of murder arrests and 88% of robbery arrests. OJJDP, Trends in Youth Arrests for Violent Crimes
Jail incarceration
In 2023, males were held in local jails at 343 per 100,000, compared with 56 per 100,000 females—about six times the rate. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Jail Inmates in 2023
Gang involvement
A national youth study found 11% of boys versus 6% of girls reported having joined a gang. A multicity study found 8.8% versus 7.8%. OJJDP, Gang Prevention: An Overview of Research and Programs
Structured programs
Randomized evaluations of Chicago’s Becoming a Man program found reductions in violent-crime arrests of 45–50% during the studied interventions. Heller et al., Becoming a Man evaluations (NBER)
Our first center is planned for the Arts District, connected to Boyle Heights. We want to turn that proximity into shared access: a place where East LA’s young people, families, and culture help shape the community, and where resources from across Los Angeles become part of everyday life.
Each class will share meals, train, build projects, explore the city, and work through challenges together.
Belonging starts on day one.
You don’t have to have it together to belong here. We hold clear expectations, address harm, and help young men take responsibility and make things right.
We're building care, experiences, and relationships too often available only through family wealth. The first cohort starts with a weekly gathering, a meal, and consistent people. Licensed therapy, fitness partnerships, and field days belong to the longer program, once partners and funding are in place.
Licensed therapists
Professional support for processing pain, understanding emotions, and developing ways to cope.
Nutritious meals
A dependable meal and time to sit together, connect, and be known.
Gyms, fitness, and wellness
Constructive outlets, healthy routines, teamwork, and care for physical health.
Financial experts and education
Practical experience with budgeting, saving, and understanding financial choices.
Entrepreneurs and working professionals
Exposure to careers, useful skills, and relationships that can open doors.
Leadership and service projects
Opportunities to keep commitments, solve problems, and contribute to others.
Field days across Los Angeles
Time to play, discover interests, build friendships, and experience more of the city.
Each class will practice the habits that help a young man care for himself, keep his word, and become someone others can depend on. The journey starts with belonging and grows through responsibility, practical work, and service.
Therapy · Meals · Peer support
Fitness · Meals · Service
Therapy · Peer support · Service
Financial education · Career exposure
Service · Field days
The five stages describe ongoing development. The twelve weeks below organize the first cohort’s activities. Young men may revisit any stage; their place in the community does not depend on moving through the curriculum perfectly.
A proposed first cohort of 12 young men meets once a week for three hours, with a meal. A brief mentor check-in happens separately, outside that session.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | Arrive and connect. Shared meal and personal check-in. |
| 45 minutes | Learn a skill. A practical workshop led by a facilitator or guest. |
| 75 minutes | Put it to work. Practice, movement, a visit, or project work. |
| 30 minutes | Reflect and commit. Discuss the experience and choose one next step. |
Build skills. Practice them. Carry them forward.
Establish trust, recognize strengths, and connect personal choices to the future each participant wants.
Practice the skills needed to manage money and approach opportunities with confidence.
Develop useful routines and practice responding to stress and conflict.
Apply the cohort’s learning through shared responsibility and a concrete plan beyond graduation.
Each class will work toward graduation through shared experiences, practical learning, and service. Our goal is for graduates to leave with stronger relationships, useful life skills, and a next step toward education, work, or entrepreneurship—and, over time, to return as mentors the next class can turn to.
The first cohort needs a room, a meal, facilitators, and mentors. Licensed therapy, gyms, and field days are not in this pilot until a named partner and funding exist.
| Partner role | Proposed contribution |
|---|---|
| Host venue | A room for 12 sessions and about 14 people. |
| Financial education | Two practical money workshops. |
| Career partner | A workshop, practice interviews, and introductions to real work. |
| Wellness educators | Three sessions across movement, stress, and relationships. |
| Mentor network | Weekly check-ins outside the three-hour group session, plus goal support. |
| Meals and transportation | A meal each week, and a ride when getting there would otherwise be the reason someone misses. |
| Community project host | A bounded service activity in weeks 10–11. |
| Licensed therapy | Later: professional care once a licensed partner and funding are confirmed. Not in the first cash budget. |
We will start small enough to know every young man in the room. The figures below are planning estimates for the 12-week gathering—staff, meals, transportation, a room, workshops, and basic administration. About $1,600 per student, $19,100 rounded. They do not include licensed therapy, gym access, or field days, and they are not a fundraising target until quotes exist.
| Expense | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Program lead | 8 hours/week × $40 × 12 weeks — $3,840 |
| Second facilitator | 5 hours/week × $30 × 12 weeks — $1,800 |
| Specialist workshops | 6 sessions × $250 — $1,500 |
| Meals | 14 people × $15 × 12 sessions — $2,520 |
| Transportation support | 12 students × $15 × 12 sessions — $2,160 |
| Materials and activities | 12 students × $150 — $1,440 |
| Venue | 12 sessions × $100 — $1,200 |
| Insurance, screening, and administration | Placeholder — $1,500 |
| Evaluation and graduation | Placeholder — $600 |
| Subtotal | $16,560 |
| Contingency | 15% × $16,560 — $2,484 |
| Estimated pilot budget | $19,044, rounded to $19,100 |
Collect a baseline, track participation, review completed work, and follow up.
| Measure | How we’ll track it | Proposed target |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Facilitator attendance log each week. | 10 of 12 attend at least 9 of 12 sessions. |
| Practical skills | Review budgets and résumés; repeat the same short money exercise at intake and exit. | 10 of 12 complete core work. Report the actual change in scores. |
| Trusted support | Ask at intake and exit whether there is an adult they can turn to. | 12 of 12 identify a trusted adult at exit. |
| Personal milestone | Participant and mentor agree a goal by week 3 and review evidence at exit. | 9 of 12 achieve at least one documented milestone. |
| Continued progress | Check action-plan progress at 30 and 90 days after completion. | Attempt follow-up with all 12. Report how many respond and what progress they describe. |
Set eligibility, dates, venue, facilitators, mentors, and safeguarding before day one. Licensed therapy is not required for this pilot.
Separate cash from in-kind support, confirm who administers funds, and prepare enrollment and follow-up.
We’re bringing together funding, mentors, spaces, and expertise to make the proposed pilot possible.
Mentorship, teaching, space, meals, transportation, introductions, or a contribution toward the estimated budget.
For participants and families. Receive updates when eligibility, dates, and enrollment are confirmed.
Help deliver a defined part of the curriculum or remove a barrier to participation.