Grantee Spotlight
Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Founded in 2000 by then-Stanford law student Christa Gannon, Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) is on a mission to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by partnering with youth impacted by the justice system in California, where the youth incarceration rate is nearly twice the national average.
This year, FLY is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Reflecting on its powerful legacy to date, the program has served 53,000 youth, and is on track to serve an additional 15,000 by 2030. The organization has expanded to serve four counties, added programming for young adults ages 18–25, and recently opened a new branch in Contra Costa County. They are also piloting a Law Program in San Francisco.
The success of their program model is rooted in their commitment to listening to youth. When Gannon first spoke to incarcerated young people serving life sentences and asked what could have helped them earlier, their answers were strikingly consistent: they needed a support system, legal education, and mentorship. These insights became the foundation for FLY’s youth-centered programming.
Today, FLY provides six core interventions tailored to young people’s age and needs, from law-related education and youth advocacy to civic engagement, prosocial events, and career pathways through paid peer mentorships and leadership opportunities. The results are striking: FLY youth are six times less likely to return to the justice system, and over 90% report hope for the future and achievement of educational goals.
These outcomes are not only changing lives—they’re also drawing attention. FLY’s impact and model are being recognized. Recently, the organization was surprised with a $50,000 grant from Stanford University’s “Ethical and Effective Philanthropy” course—unrestricted support that affirms the strength of their approach, helps sustain core programming, and enables them to respond to emerging needs.
At PACF, we have been long-time admirers and supporters of FLY’s life-changing, transformative work on the juvenile justice system. We are proud to deepen this partnership with a multi-year grant for 2024–2025. As FLY’s Senior Director of Advancement, Tracy Genica, notes, “Multi-year funding is something we're very grateful for because it enables us to plan ahead and be more sustainable—especially now, when government funding is increasingly vulnerable.”
FLY continues to show up for youth and families with courage and urgency. In response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement threats, they’ve mobilized a rapid response team, offered Know Your Rights trainings, and advocated for state-level policy change to protect immigrant youth.
If you're passionate about criminal justice and racial equity, consider joining FLY’s mission. Volunteer opportunities include one-on-one mentorship or leading law education sessions—critical ways to support young people at a turning point in their lives.
If you are passionate about criminal justice and racial equity—and want to be a lifeline for youth at a pivotal point in their journey to adulthood—FLY offers meaningful volunteer opportunities, including one-on-one mentorship and serving as a skilled instructor in their law education program.
“Now more than ever, we need our communities to stand with us—to sustain the positive momentum at FLY and to keep advancing effective justice reform across California,” says Tracy.
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A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors. By choosing to give where you live, you make it possible for PACF to support transformative organizations like FLY. Your generosity is powering real change, right here in our community.