Our mission is to ensure the healthy transition of young people exiting or emancipated from the foster care system into society. We ensure that they are equipped to lead a productive and secure life in adulthood. Our team works to achieve this goal by creating greater awareness of the challenges experienced by this population.
38% of the children in America's Foster Care System reside in Los Angeles County.
Half of the youth who are aged-out, or emancipated from the foster care system end up incarcerated or homeless.
Less than 3% will enroll and complete a college degree.
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The Nehemiah Project LA works to shine a spotlight on the plight of transitioning foster youth, and the challenges they face in obtaining a stable and productive future.
This is accomplished through events, public awareness campaigns, our documentary titled "Nehemiah" that examines the foster care system in America, and the Nehemiah Project Affiliates Network.
The members of The Nehemiah Project LA's Affiliate Network are champions of change for transitioning foster youth and young adults.
We work to build relationships with lawmakers, public agencies and other public institutions in order to bring about more effective policies and legislation that support the transition of foster youth into adulthood and self-sufficiency.
We believe in the power of community, The Nehemiah Project LA comes alongside local, state and national stakeholders - churches, non-profit organizations, public agencies, academic institutions and community leaders - to build networks of support for America's transition-aged youth foster youth.
Through the TAY Advocacy Council and Affiliates Network, as well as our training courses and curriculum (launching in 2018), we are working to build knowledgeable networks and partnerships at all levels in order to bring positive change and real solutions to young people struggling to successfully transition out of the foster care system.
'Nehemiah' is a mini-series documentary that examines the foster care system in America. It was created to raise the public's awareness of the struggles faced by the thousands of foster care youth, and young adults who transition out of the foster care system every year.
This groundbreaking film chronicles the lives of several young adults struggling to make a successful life for themselves in a manner that shines a spotlight on their challenges, and triumphs, while deeply examining the foster care system in America.
Leve Nathaniel Ross V, is a resilient victor of chronic trauma. He has survived difficult environments such as the childcare system, gang violence, and family brokenness which sought to stamp him as another wayward statistic, but God had other plans.
After connecting with his father's side of the family several years ago and discerning a great need, Leve purposed to break the generational pandemic and begin a loving prosperous generational pattern. Leve's humanity goals are to respect himself, love himself, and provide charity and care for other people. He acknowledges that his previous destructive environments influenced him to be someone he never intended to be.
Today Leve holds three college degrees, one of which comes from his recent 2016 graduation from the USC with an MFA in Acting. Upon graduation Leve has been fortunate enough to land a couple of Co-Star roles on Television. Leve desires to continue finding great coaches, mentors and communities that will assist in bringing out the "BEST" in him. Leve Ross also has other talents, which he plans to use to engage communities far and near to bring redemption, joy, and love.
Leve recently gave an inspirational talk about his experience at The Nehemiah Project LA Event, 'Walk a Mile in Nehemiah's Shoes'.
"Photos of Leve in action, an excellent example of a Nehemiah Project LA former foster youth who has received ongoing support, and who is doing well. We first connected with Leve over four years ago. He had been in foster care and ended up in a troubled life, bouncing around from home to home and involved in gangs. Today, Leve is a graduate of USC’s acting program and is working using his craft." — Bishop Ed
Our team works to achieve this goal by creating greater awareness of the challenges experienced by this population.
