UCLA Watts Leadership Institute recieved a grant to directly support the 8 cohort organizations/10 individuals who are engaged in the second WLI cohort. The funds will underwrite a portion of their expenses as they plan and implement community programming and community engagement activities during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The number of community members served by WLI will be determined by the individual cohort members as their programs develop. Founded in 2016, WLI is a 10-year initiative of the Social Justice Research Partnership within the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Drawing upon an innovative and engaging peer learning model, WLI directly addresses gaps in nonprofit knowledge, capacity and sustainability by supporting a cadre of community-based leader-mentors who will guide other leaders and small nonprofits in the future. WLI works under the 501-C-3 status of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs but receives no funding from them.
Journey Out is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit leading the fight for the freedom and survival of all those whose lives have been destroyed by sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation.
Our mission is to help victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking leave a life of abuse and violence, overcome their fears, and empower them to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.
Fully committed to and believing in the incredible resilience of survivors and marginalized populations, we maintain a diverse staff, half of whom are survivors themselves. This creates a powerful model and bond between our staff and clients, who are able to walk and grow alongside someone who can relate to their lived experience on a deeper level.