Jacaranda Rising

Sometimes, you don’t realize how much someone has grown until you look back. 💜

When we first met Nikki, she was living in a transitional shelter. She was quiet, thoughtful, and usually more comfortable listening than talking.

Over the past 1.5 years, we’ve had the privilege of watching her bloom.

Nikki has attended 95% of our workshops, shared meals with us, celebrated two birthdays and a Christmas, and worked hard toward her goals. When she needed a laptop for school, we were honored to help.

And in 2026, Nikki graduated with her associate’s degree! 🎓 Ali, our Executive Director, was so honored to be invited to her graduation and to cheer her on from the audience.

But her growth goes far beyond a diploma.

Nikki has become a leader at her shelter, a go-to person for both staff and other residents. The quiet young woman who once sat and listened is now using her voice to encourage others.

This is why we do what we do.

At Jacaranda Rising, we get to walk alongside young adults as they build confidence, discover their voice, and create futures they can be proud of.

Nikki, we are so proud of you. We are blessed to be a small part of your story, and we cannot wait to see what you do next! 💜

Because 18 shouldn’t mean you’re on your own.
[Nikki's name and image have been changed to honor her privacy.]

We are so proud of our young adults who are continuing their education this year, whether they are heading to college, trade school, or working toward their GED. 🎓

For some of our participants, returning to school also means needing a little extra help getting the supplies they need to start the year strong.

Would you consider sponsoring a young adult as they head back to school? A gift of $100 can cover school supplies for one young person.

We are so excited to see what this school year holds for our participants. Thank you for believing in them, investing in their futures, and reminding them that they are not doing this alone. 💜

Help a young adult start the school year with confidence. Thank you for your support!

https://givebutter.com/jacarandarising

At Jacaranda Rising, we believe that 18 shouldn't mean you're on your own. 💜

Too many young adults who have experienced foster care, housing instability, food insecurity, and other hardships are expected to navigate adulthood without the support every young person deserves. We're here to change that.

Our vision is a Los Angeles County where every transition-age young adult (18–24) is equipped to thrive as a confident, self-sufficient adult.

Our mission is to walk alongside these young adults as they navigate the challenges of adulthood. Through life skills education, meaningful relationships, and compassionate, individualized support, we help them build confidence, overcome obstacles, and create stable, independent futures.

We believe every young adult deserves a caring community, the opportunity to thrive, and someone who believes in their potential.

Because when young people know they're not alone, that changes everything.

💜 Join us as we build brighter futures—one relationship at a time.

💜 "They respect our personhood and make sure we’re able to get the things we need. They treat us like people — as though we have something important to offer."

When one of our young adults was asked how Jacaranda Rising makes her feel, this was her answer.

At Jacaranda Rising, our first priority isn't a program or a service, it's the person. We believe that turning 18 shouldn't mean facing life alone. Before workshops, mentorship, or resources, we focus on building genuine relationships rooted in trust, respect, and care.

When young adults know they are seen, valued, and welcomed, they're more willing to learn, grow, and believe in their own potential. That's where lasting change begins.

This kind of impact is only possible because of our incredible volunteers, mentors, and supporters who faithfully invest their time, compassion, and encouragement. Thank you for helping us create a community where every young adult knows they matter and has the opportunity to build a brighter future.

Together, we're reminding young adults throughout Los Angeles County that they are not alone and that they have something important to offer the world. 💜

For more information about how you can get involved, email our Executive Director, Alison at [email protected]

💜 “One of the best experiences I have had with Jacaranda Rising is the continued support I received even after leaving the shelter. The staff have stayed in contact with me, checked in on my well-being, and made me feel like I still have a support system.”

Nearly two years ago, this young woman connected with Jacaranda Rising while living in a transitional housing shelter. Today, she is living in permanent supportive housing and continues to work toward her goals with the encouragement of her Jacaranda mentor and our supportive staff.

Her story reflects something we believe deeply: support shouldn’t end when someone leaves a shelter. Young adults navigating independence need relationships they can count on—people who continue to show up, celebrate progress, and offer encouragement through life’s challenges.

We are honored to walk alongside young adults as they build stable, independent lives and discover that they don’t have to do it alone.

Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible. Your support helps ensure that young adults have not just resources, but lasting connections and a community that cares. 💜

🍽️✨ A huge THANK YOU to for teaching Jacaranda Rising’s very first Introduction to Cooking class! Our young adults had so much fun learning new skills and creating a delicious meal together. On the menu: fresh salad with a homemade vinaigrette dressing, cheesy chicken quesadillas, and a chocolate cake in a mug made right in the microwave! 🍫🥗🧀

We’re also incredibly grateful to Granada Hills Baptist Church for generously opening their kitchen to us and providing a welcoming space where our youth could learn, connect, and enjoy a meal together.

Workshops like these are only possible because of the amazing volunteers and community partners who believe in investing in young adults as they build confidence and independence. Thank you for helping make these experiences possible for Jacaranda Rising’s youth. 💜

🎉 Celebrating Ty 🎉

Not every turning point begins with a life-changing event. Sometimes, it starts with a simple conversation.

In December 2023, Ty met volunteers from Jacaranda Rising at a holiday party in the transitional shelter where he was living. What began as a conversation grew into a relationship built on trust, consistency, and genuine care.

Since age 18, Ty had been navigating life largely on his own—sleeping on couches, in a hotel, and in shelters. Over the past 2+ years, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside him as he worked toward stability and his goals. Through mentorship, budgeting support, career coaching, and encouragement, Ty built confidence, direction, and a strong foundation for his future.

In May 2024, he moved into his own apartment, and when unexpected challenges arose, our community made sure he had the support he needed to keep moving forward. He showed up for himself again and again, doing the hard work required to create lasting change.

Today, we are proud to celebrate Ty as he has graduated from Jacaranda Rising’s program at age 25—our first program graduate—and begins an exciting new chapter. After passing his tests, Ty has enlisted in the United States Air Force and will begin basic training this month.

The young man who once had countless ideas but little direction now has a plan, purpose, and a community cheering him on every step of the way.

Ty, it has been an honor to be part of your journey. Your resilience, determination, and growth inspire all of us. Once part of the Jacaranda Rising family, always part of the family.

And to our volunteers, mentors, and supporters—thank you. Stories like Ty’s are possible because you continue to show up.

(Ty's name and image have been changed in order to protect his privacy.)

🎓✨ Big Congratulations! ✨🎓

This June, we have the incredible honor of celebrating one of our Jacaranda Rising participants as they graduate from college! 🎉

For young adults experiencing homelessness, earning a college degree can be especially challenging. In Los Angeles County, fewer than 3% of youth who have experienced foster care go on to graduate from college. That’s why this achievement is so meaningful.

We are beyond proud to celebrate our participant's graduation from Pierce College this June. Their hard work, perseverance, and dedication have brought them to this milestone, and we couldn't be more excited to cheer them on as they walk across the stage.

This accomplishment is a reminder that with determination, support, and opportunity, incredible things are possible.

Please join us in congratulating this amazing graduate! 🎓👏💜

A huge thank you to and Jim Festante for leading such an engaging and eye-opening workshop for our young adults yesterday! 💜

Participants learned about how algorithms shape what we see online, ways to build healthier screen time habits, and how we all need to fact check what we see on social media. We all walked away having learned something new!📱

We’re so grateful for community partners like Health-e-Habits who empower young adults with practical tools and knowledge for everyday life. 💪

It’s Jacaranda Season 💜

All across Los Angeles, the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom — vibrant purple petals covering our yards, streets, and sidewalks in beauty and color.

Did you know Jacaranda Rising was named after these beautiful trees because they are our founder Ali’s favorite? Jacarandas represent rebirth. They are vibrant, beautiful, messy, and imperfect — just like us.

That is the heart behind Jacaranda Rising. We want every young adult in our programs to know this truth:
✨ You were created vibrant and beautiful.
✨ Life is messy and imperfect.
✨ And you are deeply LOVED exactly as you are.

Happy Jacaranda Season! 💜🌿