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Youth Mental Health Academy Awarded Open AI Grant Through Bridge Builders Foundation Partnership
The Youth Mental Health Academy (YMHA) at the Child Mind Institute is proud to announce our new partnership with the Bridge Builders Foundation, through which we have been named a collaborator on the People-First AI Fund. This award strengthens a shared vision to expand culturally responsive STEM, mentoring, and mental health programming for youth across Los Angeles County.
Bridge Builders serves more than 1,500 young people annually through education, mentorship, leadership development, and college access initiatives. Through this partnership, YMHA will deepen its behavioral health curriculum and workforce development model, allowing us to reach more students from underrepresented communities.
This award represents more than a financial investment — it reflects a commitment to building an ecosystem where young people gain confidence, career exposure, and clear pathways into the mental health and wellness fields. This collaboration will enhance evaluation systems, expand college and workforce readiness opportunities, and accelerate YMHA’s mission to cultivate the next generation of diverse, community-centered mental health professionals.
Together, this partnership positions YMHA to scale its impact, strengthen high-quality youth programming, increase opportunity, and generate more mental health resources in our communities.
