About Spirit Awakening
Spirit Awakening Foundation (SAF), member of the Santa Monica Business Hall of Fame and recipient of a number of prestigious recognitions, awards and accolades, including the 2023 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, the 2018-2022 Best of Santa Monica Nonprofits awards and the Southern California Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Leadership Award, is an arts-based nonprofit organization. Since its inception in 1995, SAF has been a pioneer in developing and offering restorative, trauma-informed, prevention and intervention programs to underserved, incarcerated and systems-involved youth in Los Angeles County.
Did you know:
- Los Angeles County has the largest juvenile probation department in the nation
- 95% of incarcerated youth in Los Angeles County are Black and Brown
- 9,000 youth are arrested for a variety of offenses each year in Los Angeles County, but 80% are eligible to be diverted to community-based programs and non-profits
As an organization founded and run by Akuyoe Graham, a woman of color (who was born in Ghana, West Africa), SAF exists to stand up against racism, inequality and injustice, all the while offering our young people tools and techniques needed to live in a more inclusive, just and safe world. Using the tools of meditation, self-reflection, creative writing, visual arts, mentorship, service, and leadership training, all of which have been guided by evidence-based research, SAF is able to accomplish our mission to help underserved youth build character and raise self-esteem.
SPirit Awakening’s SOLUTION
Here are Spirit Awakening’s solutions to stand up for the underserved and systems-involved youth in our communities.
Contact us to learn more about our programs, services, youth leadership retreats, and international service trips to Ghana, West Africa.
A series of programs, conducted in both juvenile probation facilities and high schools throughout Los Angeles County, that teach incarcerated and underserved youth how to express themselves through creative writing and visual arts — helping them build a foundation for effective communication and success. Click here to learn more.
An annual performance of the written and spoken word of child detainees, as well as a published compilation of their essays, poems, and metaphysical musings. Spirit Awakening advocates for and celebrates the unedited voices of our most vulnerable citizens.
Click here to learn more.
An annual retreat for advanced Spirit Awakening students at the beautiful Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Here, students gain insight into themselves and each other through the peace and stillness of nature.
Click here to learn more.
Angels of Redemption is our bi-annual outreach trip to Ghana, West Africa in which students explore culture, history and the impact it has on them. Here, Spirit Awakeners visit historic sites and provide community service to orphaned children through the means of establishing friendships and donating foods, toys, clothing, and supplies.
Click here to learn more.
Spirit Awakening’s Mentoring Leaders Breaking The Chains Program is offered FOR FREE AFTER SCHOOL IN PERSON & virtually via Zoom!
5730 Crenshaw blvd., Los Angeles 90043.
Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
Crenshaw Historic Fire Station 5730 Crenshaw blvd., Los Angeles 90043 / virtually via zoom.
These programs for youth and young adults offer a unique blend of supportive services including, but not limited to: spiritual and professional counseling; peer-to-peer mentorship; tutoring; job preparation; financial aid; creative arts; meditation; service trips, and; cultural enrichment opportunities. Free hot meals provided.
To sign up for the program today, please check our Calendar page and join us at our next meeting!
For questions and more information, please email info@spiritawakening.org or call (866) 456-8002.
SPIRIT AWAKENING’s LEADERS
Thank you to our supporters
LA County department of arts and Culture & LA County Board of Supervisors
la county supervisor Kathryn barger
la county Department of arts and culture & LA county supervisor holly j. mitchell
la COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS and CULTURE & la COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT
la COUNTY office of education
The California Wellness Foundation
Other Spirit Awakening supporters include:
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Tides Foundation (on the recommendation of Life Comes From It Fund), the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, The Weingart Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, The A & A Fund, Halo Beauty, Agape International Spiritual Center, EDL Northwest, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Pasadena Unified School District, and the Whittier Union High School District.
Let's support women and our stories
-"Spirit Awakening the Film" -
We are raising money to finish the filming of "Spirit Awakening" the Film - a feature film that is being produced by The Spirit Awakening Foundation. The film's script is based on Akuyoe's one woman play - the play that inspired the Spirit Awakening Foundation (Spirit Awakening, SAF). Check out Akuyoe’s video below to learn more about how you can be one of our 3000.
To watch the trailer for the film, click here.
Thank you in advance for your contribution to a film that means so much to so many.
Spirit Awakening Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity (federal tax ID #95-4585425). All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for any financial donations received.
Spirit Awakening greatly thanks our donors for the impact they make on the lives of the youth we serve.