NLNP Mission
New Life ~ New Power Consulting & Empowerment Services primary focus and our ultimate goal is the well-being of each of our youth partners; to empower them to reach their full potential by advocating for their rights and creating opportunities for their personal success. We will ensure that each of our youth partners has access to the resources and support that they need in order to thrive. Our ultimate goal is to create a society where young people are valued, respected and treated with dignity. Our commitment is to advocate for our youth partners' rights, needs and personal interests.
Studies show California has more foster youth than any other state, with over 65,000 children and youth in the foster care system. More than 4,000 youth emancipate from California’s foster care system each year. California state regulation often excludes vulnerable youth, such as pregnant girls and those who are mentally ill or impaired, from transitional programs. Approximately 30% of transition-age foster youth experience homelessness. New Life's unique hands-on approach will help to diminish those numbers.
New Life is located in Los Angeles County, city of Pasadena. We are centrally located and are in a reasonable proximity to facilitate access to youth, partners, attend workshops and seminars as we remain updated on all aspects of advocacy, support and empowerment.
New Life’s intake process is intentionally designed to be collaborative, respectful, and youth centered. When a youth partner is identified as a potential fit for our services by a key support person involved in their care, we begin by gathering a general history of the youth’s emergent needs, current circumstances, and relevant background information. This initial phase is not about labels or assumptions, but about gaining enough understanding to begin the critical process of building trust.
We recognize that trust is foundational to meaningful engagement and positive outcomes—particularly for youth who may have experienced instability, trauma, or systems that did not consistently meet their needs. Building trust cannot be rushed; it requires patience, consistency, transparency, and a genuine willingness to meet each youth partner exactly where they are. We honor the fact that trust develops over time, and we allow space for that process to unfold naturally.
As the foundation of trust is being established, we continue to meet directly with the youth partner to listen intentionally, ask thoughtful questions, share information, and—most importantly—invite them to tell their story in their own words.
Our goal is to obtain detailed, youth-driven insight into their strengths, challenges, goals, and preferences so we can understand how to best support them. Together, we collaborate to develop an action plan that is realistic, empowering, and aligned with the youth partner’s vision for their future. With consent, we maintain appropriate communication with involved support persons to share progress and address challenges, always prioritizing the voice, dignity, and autonomy of the youth partner.
Basic Needs:
Young people aging out of foster care have many basic needs. During our initial assessment, we help to identify and assist our youth partners to meet those needs, such as food insecurity, health insurance coverage and monthly budgeting. Other essential needs may include:
- Stable housing
- Access to education
- Access employment and job training
- Positive relationships with trusted adults
- Support to improve life skills
- Support to make informed decisions
- Support to transition into adulthood with a sense of normalcy
- Support to maintain supportive relationships
Other needs may include self-esteem building, individual counseling, self-actualization, and openness to the youth's birth parents.