UCLA

I utilize Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model as a conceptual framework to consider the challenges of primarily low-income, Mexican American youth living on the Westside in Los Angeles. Through a case study method I analyze the ways in which the Urban Youth Program (UYP) a program of the Family Leadership Center (FLC) a community based organization (CBO) provides a vital resource for youth. Although UYP strengthens the ecological environments of youth involved, I argue that a positive youth development framework, which underscores the functioning of UYP is ill-equipped to address macro-level issues such as the new and emerging challenges of gentrification and increasing foundation reliance which can potentially undermine the youth’s ecological environment. I argue that FLC should shift its program towards a youth organizing model.