Yes. VIDA is a structured, 16-week program that requires both participant and parent/guardian(s) to commit themselves fully in order to see results. Participants and their families are initially required to attend an orientation night and weekly sessions thereafter. Throughout the program, VIDA staff members conduct home and school visits, and participants spend eight hours on Saturdays at the VIDA sites closest to their homes.

The program began as the dream of East Los Angeles Station deputy sheriffs who wanted to help troubled youths and their families. Since VIDA began in 1996 and went countywide in 2000, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has retained its responsibility for continuing the program; however, VIDA is also made possible by a number of community-based organizations, volunteers, schools and families.

In Spanish, “vida” means life. Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) is committed to giving kids the knowledge and skills needed to transform their lives for the better. Parents can also benefit from VIDA through weekly sessions designed to foster understanding and improve communication between family members.

VIDA accepts nonviolent, at-risk youth between the ages of 11 and 17½ who are struggling with parent relationships, academics, antisocial peers/attitudes and making smart decisions. Typically, participants are referred to the program through a community agency. Participants are then interviewed by trained VIDA staff members to determine if they meet the program’s targeted risk level. Parents can also enroll their children in the program. Please visit the contact us page to request an appointment.

There is a nominal fee which covers the cost of the uniform, drug tests, and field trips. Contact us for further information.

VIDA runs concurrent to the school year. We run a spring class and a fall class.

We have various sites around L.A. County; please visit the locations page for details.

We encourage you to look around the site. If you’re interested in speaking with VIDA staff directly, please fill out the Contact Us form.

To volunteer at your local VIDA site, please contact the VIDA staff at the location near you.

Community-based organizations that would like to help create change in Los Angeles: Please contact VIDA supervisors at vida@lasd.org.

Sponsors and corporate donors: Please contact VIDA supervisors at vida@lasd.org.