Expand LA

Expanding equitable access to high-quality out-of-school time educational opportunities for K-12 youth in Los Angeles.

In January of 2020, The Office of Mayor Garcetti and the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles launched a program to bring together the diverse array of youth-serving organizations and out-of-school time (OST) providers that work with K-12 youth in Los Angeles. With the input of a task force, advisory council, and focus groups comprised of key stakeholders, an out-of-school time enrichment intermediary launched called ExpandLA to support and strengthen the expanded learning ecosystem in LA. The goal of ExpandLA is to provide equitable access to high-quality OST educational opportunities for all children and youth in the LA area.

Season of STEM

With the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this group launched the Season of STEM initiative to provide equitable access to STEM summer learning enrichment opportunities, particularly for students most in need of learning support. To date, there have been three Seasons of STEM: Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021. Participating organizations range from major museums and universities to local educational non-profits and they deliver coordinated STEM learning opportunities to youth in grades K-8. In addition to providing engaging courses and activities in a wide variety of STEM fields, partners integrate social emotional learning practices to help students combat stress and build community.

Key Impact

Awarded 27 grants to STEM-focused out-of-school programs

Issue Area

Youth

Partners

Mayor’s Office
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
The Eli & Edythe Broad Foundation

Programs Similar to Expand LA

  • Summer Night Lights is a nationally recognized model of effective civic partnerships. By keeping L.A. parks open during summer nights, SNL curtains crime and provides space and programming for families and young people.

  • This innovative, tech-driven pilot provides young people with new ways to access employers and build long-term career paths, breaking the cycle of poverty.

  • Launched the City’s first College Promise program, offering two years of free community college to Los Angeles Unified School District graduates, which became a model for all of California.

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