L.A. County approves $6 million to repurpose former juvenile detention facility

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an initial $6 million in funding to repurpose a former juvenile detention facility in the city of Lancaster, now known as the Challenger Memorial Youth Center, into a job training facility. The board also approved partnering with local Antelope Valley College to design the residential and vocational training programs.

Plans for the center include providing vocational training, career training, behavioral health services, and housing for 6-18 months. The center will serve young people ages 18 to 25 who have been in the juvenile justice system, in the foster care system or who are homeless.

The motion for $6 million in funding was introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose constituents live in the county’s fifth and largest district. The effort to repurpose the former detention facility was initially approved by the board in 2018.