New Directions for Youth

What New Directions for Youth does

New Directions for Youth (NDY) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit comprehensive youth development agency founded in 1975 and headquartered at the Saul and Joyce Brandman Youth and Family Center in North Hollywood, California. The organization delivers prevention and intervention services to at-risk youth ages 9-22 and their families across the San Fernando Valley, serving more than 3,000 youth and families annually through three physical locations (North Hollywood, Northridge, and Panorama City) plus on-site programming at 12+ Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools. Its core service lines include individual, group, and family counseling; gang prevention, intervention, and reentry programs; GED preparation and tutoring; after-school programs; a 10-week Summer Day Camp; a Technology Center offering digital literacy; career development and job training; legal referral services; an arts education program; and the Community Beautification Program (founded 1984), which removes more than 1 million square feet of graffiti annually.

Underlying technology is limited to standard nonprofit operational tooling; NDY is a human-services delivery organization rather than a technology platform, and there is no proprietary software or AI component to its program model. The business model is grant-and-donation funded, with no fees charged to program participants. Revenue is sourced from government grants (City of LA Community Development, County DCFS, County Probation, federal DOJ and DOE), foundation grants (Saul & Joyce Brandman Foundation, Weingart, California Wellness, Wolfson), corporate sponsorships (Kaiser Permanente, Galpin Ford, Hamer Toyota, Hopeless Records), an annual NDY Gala with tiered sponsorship levels, and individual donations via direct mail, website, and the LA2050 giving platform. Leadership comprises Executive Director Monica Austin-Jackson, a volunteer Board of Directors chaired by Barbara Zelinski, and an Advisory Council chaired by Art Caccatori. The 2015 operating budget was reported at approximately $2 million.

Name

New Directions for Youth

Legal name

New Directions for Youth, Inc.

Website

https://ndfy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Short description

New Directions for Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1975 that delivers prevention, counseling, gang intervention, education, and workforce programs to more than 3,000 at-risk youth and families annually across the San Fernando Valley through three locations and 12+ LAUSD school partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAM

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAJ

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYHLAFACAL

Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

SECONDARYEDAJAEAI

Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Alternative & At-Risk K–12 Education (Continuation, Recovery, Juvenile)

SECONDARYEDAAAOAD

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

SECONDARYEDAAAFAN

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

Keywords

• Youth development services
• Gang prevention programs
• After-school programs
• Parent education workshops
• Community beautification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Van Nuys

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Funding from city and county grants including Los Angeles Community Development Department, County Department of Children and Family Services, County Department of Probation, and federal grants from Department of Education and Department of Justice.
2. Private Donations: Individual and family donations through direct mail campaigns, website donations (la2050.org platform), and special campaigns like the Rainy Day Donation and Scholarship Matching Program.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including Saul & Joyce Brandman Foundation, Wolfson Family Foundation, California Wellness Foundation, Weingart Foundation, and others.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate support from companies including Kaiser Permanente, Hopeless Records, Galpin Ford, Hamer Toyota, and local businesses. Sponsors recognized at annual gala events.
5. Gala and Events: Annual fundraising gala events (NDY Gala) with tiered sponsorship packages at Van Nuys, San Fernando, Panorama City, and Sherman Oaks levels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

New Directions for Youth is a community-based youth development agency that delivers free, in-person prevention and intervention programs to at-risk youth ages 9-22 and their families across the San Fernando Valley. Core offerings include counseling, gang prevention/intervention, after-school programming, summer day camp, GED preparation, technology/digital literacy training, career development, legal referrals, parent education, arts education, and community beautification services. All programs are delivered at no cost to participants through physical centers, partner schools, and community partnerships.

Product overview

New Directions for Youth is a comprehensive youth development agency offering multiple interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include counseling services (individual, group, family), educational programs (GED preparation, after-school programs, technology training), gang prevention and intervention services, career development, legal referrals, and community beautification. Programs operate from three locations (North Hollywood main campus, West Valley in Northridge, and Panorama City) and include specialized offerings such as summer day camp, arts education, and parenting workshops. The Health and Recreation Center provides athletic facilities, while the Technology Center delivers digital literacy training. All programs follow a holistic approach addressing prevention and intervention for at-risk youth and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth, Parent and Family Counseling Assessment, counseling, and referral services including individual, group, and family counseling sessions, with parenting classes for court-referred and self-referred parents, delivered in partnership with 12+ LAUSD schools.
• Alternative Services for Youth (Emancipation Preparation) Prepares youth ages 14-18 in foster care and transition age youth 18-22 for emancipation, helping them become responsible, productive adults through job skills, support networks, and college preparation.
• GED Preparation Program Helps individuals who did not complete high school earn a credential equivalent to a high school diploma through one-on-one and small group tutoring in math, language, social studies and science, with NDY covering registration costs.
• Gang Prevention, Intervention and Reentry Provides gang prevention and intervention programs including specialized services for youth with risk factors for gang membership, with strategy team leaders, family facilitators, and advocates meeting monthly with families. Partners with the Mayor's Office of GRYD and LA County Probation Department.
• After-School Programs Programs for youth ages 9-17 offering tutoring, homework assistance, mentorship, life skills training, arts, crafts, computer classes, family activities and educational field trips. Includes transportation from schools to the main location.
• Summer Day Camp 10-week summer day camp providing traditional camp experience with recreation, enrichment, sports, arts, field trips combined with skills development in conflict resolution, anger management, mentoring, and life skills for youth ages 10-17.
• Technology Center (Digital Literacy Training) Bilingual training for youth and parents on internet safety, software and hardware troubleshooting, Microsoft Office, basic programming, and 3D modeling, supporting after-school programs with homework support and academic enrichment.
• Career Development and Youth Employment Program Provides job skills training, soft skills training, college tours, career education workshops covering job application, resume, interview process, and employment plans. Includes summer youth employment opportunities.
• Legal Referral Services Works with community partners to provide legal assistance including domestic violence protection, restraining orders, immigration services, child support orders, custody and visitation orders, eviction services, and kinship-related legal assistance.
• Community Beautification Program Graffiti eradication program founded in 1984, funded by the Board of Public Works Office of Community Beautification. Removes over 120,000 square feet of graffiti monthly through staff and court-referred workers, operating 7 days a week.
• Mask Making Adventures in Creativity (Arts Education) Artist-in-residence program providing arts education and cultural programming with a journal-keeping component emphasizing dialogue, self-reflection, descriptive writing, and critical thinking.
• Parent Education Workshops Weekly parent education workshops in Spanish and English throughout the San Fernando Valley for parents mandated by Department of Social Services, DCFS, Family Courts, or self-referred parents.
• Health and Recreation Center Health and recreation facility offering athletic programs including basketball, soccer, and fitness activities for youth and families.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of youth participating in the NDY gang prevention program no longer show significant risk of gang involvement after 1 year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Los Angeles Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 12+ LAUSD schools providing on-site counseling, assessment, and referral services for at-risk youth.
• Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide gang prevention and intervention services targeting youth at risk of gang involvement in Los Angeles communities.
• Los Angeles County Probation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for delinquency prevention programs and reentry services supporting youth recently released from probation to successfully transition back to the community.
• WorkSource CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to provide employment resources and job training opportunities for at-risk youth and reentry youth.
• California State University NorthridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for student support and educational programs.
• University of California Los AngelesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing UCLA Community-Based Learning opportunities.
• County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing parent education workshops and family services for families involved with child welfare services.
• Los Angeles Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on gang intervention programs and community beautification efforts.
• Gang Alternatives ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization partnership for gang prevention programming.
• Asian Youth CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization partnership serving Asian-American youth.
• Tarzana Treatment CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partnership for health referrals and behavioral health services.
• Hopeless RecordsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter providing sponsorship for youth programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LA's BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow): LAUSD-affiliated after-school enrichment program serving elementary-age students at LAUSD school sites. Direct comparator for NDY's school-based after-school programming and transportation-supported enrollment.
• Para Los Niños: LA-based nonprofit serving low-income and at-risk youth and families with education, counseling, after-school, and family-services programs. Directly comparable in target population (low-income LA youth/families) and integrated service model.
• Homeboy Industries: LA-based nonprofit providing gang intervention, reentry, tattoo removal, and job training to former gang members and at-risk youth. Closely comparable in gang prevention/intervention focus and LA-area at-risk-youth mission.
• Asian Youth Center: San Gabriel Valley-based youth and family services nonprofit serving at-risk Asian-American and immigrant youth with counseling, after-school, and gang-prevention programs. A listed NDY partner with highly comparable service mix and target population.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles: Mentoring nonprofit matching at-risk youth with adult mentors across LA County. Comparable in target population (at-risk youth) and mentoring-driven intervention model, but with a narrower service offering than NDY's full stack.
• Communities In Schools of Los Angeles: Site-based youth services nonprofit placing social workers and counselors inside LAUSD schools to prevent dropout and connect students to services. Closely comparable to NDY's 12+ school-based counseling partnership model.
• After-School All-Stars (ASAS): National nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school programs specifically to at-risk youth in Title I schools. Closest direct peer to NDY's LAUSD school-based after-school and counseling model, focused on the same underserved urban population.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles: Regional YMCA serving greater Los Angeles with youth development, after-school, camp, and family services. Comparable in mission and youth-services portfolio; competes for the same corporate/foundation sponsorships and LA-area families.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth-development nonprofit network operating after-school programs, mentoring, and recreation for at-risk youth. Directly comparable to NDY's after-school, summer camp, and youth-development core programs, but at vastly greater scale and brand recognition.

Regional players

• California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CHCADA): California-wide nonprofit providing substance-abuse prevention, gang prevention, and youth intervention services for Latino youth and families. Comparable in at-risk-youth and gang-prevention mission, with broader California geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-directions-for-youth-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Directions for Youth