Mental Health & Emotional Support
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
800-854-7771
Crisis counseling, therapy, substance use services. Serves LA County. Sliding scale fees.
Sliding scale
En español
24hr crisis
CHLA TAY Mental Health
323-361-2381
Mental health services for young adults 16–25. CHLA Hollywood Way, Burbank.
Ages 16–25
Free/sliding scale
LA County Youth Mental Health
800-854-7771
County-funded mental health services for youth and young adults. Referral line connects you to local services.
LA County
Free with Medi-Cal
Open Path Collective
openpathcollective.org
Affordable therapy ($30–$80/session) with licensed therapists. Online and in-person options.
Online available
NAMI Helpline
800-950-6264
National Alliance on Mental Illness. Information, referrals, support. Text NAMI to 741741.
Free
Text available
TalkSpace / BetterHelp
talkspace.com · betterhelp.com
Online therapy via text, voice, or video. Accepts some insurance. Financial aid available.
Online only
Housing & Shelter
LA County TAY Housing
211
Dial 211 to connect to LA County housing resources, including programs for ages 18–25. Available 24 hours.
24hr
Ages 18–25
En español
Program Partner Site
323-877-9010
Housing, case management, and support services for young adults.
Hollywood
LA Youth Network
323-908-3840
Transitional housing and support services for homeless youth ages 18–24 in LA County.
Ages 18–24
Free
Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership
hhyp.org
Coalition of services for homeless youth in Hollywood. Shelter, drop-in, case management, housing navigation.
Hollywood
Free
Step Up on Second
310-394-6889
Permanent supportive housing for young adults with mental health challenges. LA County.
Young adults
My Friend's Place
323-908-0011
Drop-in services, housing navigation, basic needs for youth ages 16–24 in Hollywood. No appointment needed.
Hollywood
Free
Ages 16–24
Food & Basic Needs
LA Regional Food Bank
lafoodbank.org · 323-234-3030
Free food distribution sites across LA County. Find a pantry near you at lafoodbank.org/find-food.
Free
LA County
CalFresh (Food Stamps)
getcalfresh.org · 877-847-3663
Free food assistance if you qualify. Many young adults qualify. Apply online at getcalfresh.org — takes 10 minutes.
Free
En español
211 LA
211
Text your zip code to 898-211 for food pantries, clothing, hygiene products, and other basic needs near you.
24hr
LA County
Safety, Abuse & Sexual Violence
RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-4673
24-hour support for survivors of sexual assault. Confidential. Online chat available at rainn.org.
24hr
Free
Online chat
En español
Peace Over Violence
213-626-3393
LA-based crisis intervention for sexual assault and domestic violence. 24-hour hotline. Serves all genders.
24hr
Los Angeles
Free
National DV Hotline
800-799-7233
Domestic violence support. Also text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org. 24 hours.
24hr
Chat available
En español
DCFS — Child/Vulnerable Adult Abuse
800-540-4000
LA County Department of Children and Family Services. Report abuse or get help. 24 hours.
24hr
LA County
LGBTQ+ National Help Center
888-843-4564
Peer support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Referrals for safety, housing, mental health. Also youth talkline: 800-246-7743.
Free
Youth line available
LA LGBT Center
323-993-7400
Comprehensive services including mental health, housing, legal, and violence recovery. Hollywood location.
Hollywood
Sliding scale
Legal Aid & Justice System
Legal Aid Foundation of LA
800-399-4529
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of LA County. Housing, family law, immigration, benefits.
Free
LA County
En español
Neighborhood Legal Services of LA
888-245-4257
Free legal help for low-income individuals. Serving San Fernando and Antelope Valleys and surrounding areas.
Free
LA County
Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC)
323-207-3700
Housing, employment, education, and re-entry support for young adults. Los Angeles.
Young adults
Los Angeles
A New Way of Life Reentry
323-563-3575
Housing and re-entry services for women and families. South LA.
South LA
Free
Healthcare & Insurance
Medi-Cal
coveredca.com · 800-300-1506
Free or low-cost health insurance for California residents. Eligible individuals may qualify up to age 26 regardless of income.
Free/low cost
Ages up to 26
En español
AltaMed Health Services
888-499-9303
Community health centers across LA. Primary care, mental health, dental. Sliding scale, accepts Medi-Cal.
Sliding scale
LA County
En español
Planned Parenthood LA
800-576-5544
Sexual health, contraception, STI testing and treatment, gender-affirming care. Sliding scale fees.
Sliding scale
Multiple LA locations
Substance Use — SAMHSA Helpline
800-662-4357
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use. 24 hours, 365 days. Text your zip to 435748.
Free
24hr
En español
Employment, Education & Money
LA County WIOA Youth Services
213-738-2000
Free job training, career coaching, and employment services for youth ages 16–24. America's Job Centers throughout LA.
Free
Ages 16–24
LA County
YouthSource Centers
workforce.lacounty.gov
Free education, employment, and training services for youth ages 16–24. Multiple locations in LA.
Free
Ages 16–24
FAFSA & California Dream Act
studentaid.gov · dream.csac.ca.gov
College financial aid. Special pathways exist for many young adults — apply even if you think you don't qualify. Deadline matters.
Young adults
Free to apply
CalWORKs / General Relief
888-822-4939
Cash assistance, food, and support for qualifying individuals. Apply online at benefitscal.com.
LA County
En español
Transition & Young Adult Support
Alliance for Children's Rights
213-368-6010
Free legal services and advocacy for young adults. Help with Medi-Cal, housing, education, benefits, and legal status.
Free
Young adults
Los Angeles
John Burton Advocates for Youth
jbaforyouth.org
Statewide advocacy and direct services for young adults. Know Your Rights guides available free online.
Free
Young adults
Foster Youth Museum
fosteryouthmuseum.org
LA-based organization honoring and elevating the voices and stories of young people and their communities.
Los Angeles
Community
DCFS Extended Care Support
800-540-4000
Extended care support may be available to eligible young adults in California until age 21. Call to find out.
Ages 18–21
LA County
About this list: These are resources we think are useful — we're not affiliated with any of them. Hours, services, and availability change. If something on this list doesn't work, try 211 (dial or text) — they can connect you to current, local options 24 hours a day. This list is updated periodically. If you find a resource that helped you and isn't here, tell us — we'll add it.
Your POIETO contacts
Samuel-Joey Alleyne
samuel@poieto.com
Program Lead · anything you need
Program Lead · anything you need
Christine Meinders
christine@poieto.com · Founder
Kirtana Kannan
kirtana@poieto.com
Operations & documentation
Operations & documentation
Program Partner Site Staff
On-site during all program hours
First stop for anything urgent on-site
First stop for anything urgent on-site