Young People to the Front

What Young People to the Front does

Young People to the Front (YP2F) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID: 39-4947144) headquartered at 4308 Burns Ave in Los Angeles, California. Originally founded in 2023 as Lens Co and rebranded to YP2F in June 2024, the organization builds "third space infrastructure" — physical and programmatic resources — for young adults navigating paths to sustained independence, with explicit focus on those impacted by or at risk of youth homelessness in Los Angeles County. The organization operates a single 2,000-square-foot collaborative workspace (YP2F HQ) that functions as a community hub, providing co-working space, meeting rooms, private offices, podcast production facilities, and event venue capacity for mission-driven nonprofits, community groups, creative collectives, and individual community members. HQ space is bookable through the Peerspace marketplace or directly via Notion, with fees discounted or waived for mission-aligned events serving historically oppressed communities or groups with limited financial means.

YP2F's core programmatic products are: (1) the TA(Y)LK To Me Podcast, a youth-led and youth-created podcast project developed in partnership with the LA County Youth Commission and the LA County Office of Child Protection that produces youth homelessness advocacy content and develops skills in editing, writing, and interviewing; (2) a Youth Social Media Advocacy Training program that delivered 100 hours of training; (3) a Research Zine program, with 111 zines distributed at the inaugural YP2F Research Conference featuring 25 presenters and panelists; and (4) community events such as the Closet Clean Out vendor markets. The underlying technology stack is light — community hub infrastructure plus podcast production capabilities plus an Instagram-led social advocacy platform (90% growth reported) — with no proprietary software, AI, or API surface disclosed.

Revenue mechanics are characteristic of a small community nonprofit: earned income from HQ space rentals (pay-as-you-go with mission-aligned waivers and multi-year/long-term options for storage and mailing addresses), merchandise sales through a Bonfire storefront (including artist-made apparel), clothing and product sales at community events, and donations/grants as the primary funding base. The organization runs with a lean team of 7 full and part-time staff, 10 contractors, and 2 "pup-terns," and reports 58 collaborating organizations and 500+ unique visitors to HQ in its first year.

Name

Young People to the Front

Legal name

Young People to the Front

Website

https://yp2f.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Young People to the Front is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 2,000-square-foot community hub providing co-working space, meeting rooms, podcast facilities, and youth advocacy programming for young adults transitioning to independence and at risk of homelessness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Local & Neighborhood Community Platforms (MPACAJAI)

Keywords

• Community hub services
• Co-working space rental
• Youth advocacy programs
• Podcast production studio
• Third space infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Space Rental: Rental of HQ space for meetings, workshops, teach-ins, direct action preparation, fundraisers, and co-working. Room rental fees with potential discounts or waivers for events promoting YP2F's mission, serving historically oppressed communities, having wide appeal for action mobilization, or having limited financial means. Storage, mailing address, and long-term rental options also available.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of YP2F branded merchandise through Bonfire platform
3. Clothing and Product Sales: Sale of clothing including costume-made t-shirts by partnered artists at community events like closet clean-outs
4. Donations and Grants: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization relying on donations and potentially grants to support operations and mission

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

YP2F operates a community hub in Los Angeles providing co-working space, meeting rooms, private offices, event/workshop space, and podcast production facilities to mission-driven organizations, community groups, and individuals. It layers youth-focused programming on top of the physical infrastructure, including the youth-led TA(Y)LK To Me Podcast, social media advocacy training, and community events such as Closet Clean Out, to create third space infrastructure for young adults transitioning to stability.

Product overview

Young People to the Front (YP2F) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a community hub providing third space infrastructure for young adults transitioning to independence, particularly those impacted by youth homelessness. The organization offers a physical community space (YP2F HQ), a youth-led podcast (TA(Y)LK To Me), social media advocacy training, community events, and space rental services. Founded in June 2024 following a rebrand from Lens Co, YP2F serves the Los Angeles area with programs focused on amplification, community connection, and multi-dimensional stability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YP2F HQ Community Hub Physical community hub in Los Angeles providing co-working space, meeting rooms, private offices, workshop/event space, and podcast production facilities to mission-driven organizations, community groups, and individuals.
• HQ Space Rentals (via Peerspace) Hourly and event-based rentals of the YP2F HQ booked through the Peerspace marketplace, targeted at community organizations, creative groups, and individuals needing mission-aligned meeting or event space.
• TA(Y)LK To Me Podcast Youth-led podcast recorded at the YP2F HQ studio and distributed via streaming platforms, designed to amplify youth voices and serve as an advocacy channel for the community.
• Social Media Advocacy Training Structured 100-hour training program equipping young adults with social media advocacy skills, delivered as part of YP2F's youth programming.
• YP2F Merchandise (via Bonfire) Branded merchandise produced and sold through the Bonfire e-commerce platform, generating supplemental revenue and supporting the organization's advocacy messaging.
• Closet Clean Out Community Event In-person community event hosted at YP2F HQ that connects young adults with clothing and resource distribution as part of the organization's wraparound community programming.
• Research Zines Research-driven zines published by YP2F as advocacy and education outputs that inform and amplify issues affecting young adults in Los Angeles.

Named customers4 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

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LA County Youth CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative partnership on the TA(Y)LK To Me Podcast, a youth-led, youth-created project for young people impacted by youth homelessness. The partnership involves sitting down with young advocates to discuss issues affecting youth.
• LA County Office of Child ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership on the TA(Y)LK To Me Podcast initiative alongside the LA County Youth Commission, engaging young advocates in discussions about youth homelessness and protection.
• CustomlandlaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal artist/brand that created costume made t-shirts sold at YP2F community events like the Closet Clean Out vendor market.
• BabelyorgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner vendor participating in YP2F events including the Closet Clean Out vendor market.
• Foster Youth Flea Market / JennisflowerorgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization with vendor presence at YP2F community events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership: Coalition of LA organizations coordinating services for youth experiencing homelessness, with a strong advocacy and policy focus. Comparable to YP2F on the youth-homelessness policy advocacy layer and on LA-rooted, multi-organization collaboration model.
• The Village Family Services: LA-based nonprofit delivering housing, mental health, and wraparound services for transition-age youth and foster youth. Comparable to YP2F on target segment (transition-age youth in LA), service mix (housing + community programming), and nonprofit operating model.
• First Place for Youth: Bay Area and LA-based nonprofit supporting transition-aged foster youth with housing, education, and employment resources. Comparable to YP2F on the 'young adults transitioning to independence' segment and on mission-aligned nonprofit structure.
• Crystal Stairs: LA-based nonprofit providing child and family development services, including programs for youth in or aging out of foster care. Comparable to YP2F on focus on youth stability in Los Angeles and on operating community-based programming for transition-aged populations.
• Homeboy Industries: LA-based nonprofit providing wraparound services, workforce training, and community space for formerly incarcerated and at-risk individuals. Comparable to YP2F as a Los Angeles-rooted community hub serving vulnerable populations with a mix of physical space, programming, and advocacy.
• My Friend's Place: Hollywood-based nonprofit serving youth experiencing homelessness with drop-in services, housing support, and creative arts programming. Closely comparable to YP2F on target population (youth homelessness in LA), service mix (third-space + advocacy + arts), and local geography.
• Safe Place for Youth: Venice-based nonprofit providing drop-in services, housing navigation, and creative programs for youth experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Comparable to YP2F in mission, geography, and the integration of physical space with advocacy and creative programming.

Emerging players

• TeenLine: LA-based youth peer-support nonprofit that trains teen volunteers to provide emotional support via phone, text, and online channels. Comparable to YP2F on the youth-led, youth-amplification model and on developing youth skills through advocacy and content production.
• Impact Hub Los Angeles: Member-based co-working and community space focused on mission-driven entrepreneurs and social-impact organizations in LA. Comparable to YP2F on the third-space / co-working model for mission-driven users and on geographic focus in Los Angeles, though YP2F's youth mission is more narrowly defined.

Regional players

• LA Más: LA-based nonprofit designing programs and built-environment interventions with underserved communities. Comparable to YP2F as a Los Angeles community-organization peer that combines physical-space programming, design, and advocacy for underserved populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/yp2f
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yp2f

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Young People to the Front