Youth Services

From fire camps to foster care advocacy – Amity Foundation is committed to building real pathways for young people out of a justice system that too often leaves them behind.

Overview

What We Do

Amity Foundation provides vocational training, advocacy, and direct programming for justice-involved youth — with a particular focus on young people in fire camp programs, those aging out of the foster care system, and young adults transitioning from youth justice settings into adult life.

Where We Work

Fire camps at Pine Grove, Growlersburg (CDCR facilities), and Camp Gonzalez in Calabasas (Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care & Opportunities Department facility)
Advocacy at the state and local level alongside CDCR’s Office of Youth and Community Restoration
Community-based programs across California serving young adults aged 18–26

Who We Serve

Justice-involved youth and young adults;
Young men in CDCR facilities eligible for fire camp programs;
Youth aging out of the foster care system involved in the justice system;
Young adults aged 18–26 served across Amity’s employment and campus programs.

Core Services

Fire camp vocational training and Cal Fire certification at Pine Grove and Growlersburg
Residential fire camp programming at Camp Gonzalez (with JCOD and ARC)
Policy advocacy for foster youth and justice-involved young people through OYCR
Employment services specifically designed for young adults aged 18–26

Our Approach

At Amity, we have always believed that young people impacted by the justice system should not be defined by the worst moments in their lives. Our founder, Naya Arbiter, called them “Young Lions” – a name that honors the strength, resilience, and untapped potential that every young person carries – no matter what they’ve been through.

The concepts of habilitation and community are particularly vital when it comes to young people. Adolescence and early adulthood are formative – and they are also the moments when the right intervention, the right relationship, or the right opportunity can change everything. Amity’s work with youth is built around providing exactly that: legitimate pathways to employment, housing, and identity that are compelling and long-lasting.

DCR Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR)

Amity Foundation works closely with CDCR’s Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) to expand pathways for justice-involved youth, with particular attention to young people aging out of the foster care system — who face compounding vulnerabilities at the intersection of child welfare and the justice system. Through advocacy and direct programming, Amity supports OYCR’s mission to promote rehabilitation, education, and positive development for youth in the justice system.

Work-Based Learning Experiences: Facilitate hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships, apprenticeships, and paid work experience, to help youth develop practical job skills.
Postsecondary Counseling: Provide educational counseling and support, including help with financial aid applications (FAFSA) and admissions to colleges, trade schools, or vocational programs.
Workplace Readiness Training: Offer training to help youth build essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management, along with digital and financial literacy.
Self-Advocacy Training: Empower youth to advocate for themselves in employment and educational settings, including requesting accommodations and understanding their legal rights.
Job Placement and Retention Services: Support youth in securing meaningful employment and provide post-placement support to help them succeed in the workforce

Fire Camps — CDCR / JCOD / Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC)

Amity has worked alongside CDCR to prepare young people to join the workforce through fire camp programs at Pine Grove and Growlersburg. Participants train and serve as fully qualified firefighters — and many go on to secure jobs with Cal Fire after their release, using their skills to protect the very communities they came from. The bravery of these young men was on full display during the historic wildfires that devastated Southern California in January 2025.