top of page

EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH  ENTERTAINMENT

As a youth-centric organization, we believe the future rests with engaged, driven, and empowered youth. We also believe that stories and storytelling are the inspirational means for shaping our future. 

​

Our vision is to equip and empower vulnerable youth to be the next-gen powerhouses of the creative economy.

Outdoor video shoot with a woman filming an older man being interviewed, another person crouches with a phone, and a seated interviewer.

Discover Their Work

PODCAST

Outside The Lab

Join our host Breyon, an AIM-N-INSPIRE GRADUATE, as she peaks inside the minds of her peers at Better Youth covering a wide range of topics. This is a great place to learn more about the youth we serve, their passions, their experiences with the world, and all the greatness they’re about.

PRE-APPRENTICESHIP (1).png

PRE-APPRENTICESHIP

AIM-N-INSPIRE

Watch past-cohort capstone projects from our free creative pre-apprenticeship program, AIM-N-INSPIRE. Our program offers technical training, mentorship, professional development, and paid work experience in animation, gaming, and filmmaking. 

AIM-N-Inspire 2023: Fellows
21:37

AIM-N-Inspire 2023: Fellows

AIM-N-Inspire 2023: Film Cohort
22:55

AIM-N-Inspire 2023: Film Cohort

AIM-N-Inspire 2023: Animation Cohort
16:10

AIM-N-Inspire 2023: Animation Cohort

Oil and Swords - a film by the 2021 AIM-N-INSPIRE Animation Cohort
03:39

Oil and Swords - a film by the 2021 AIM-N-INSPIRE Animation Cohort

At Better Youth, we believe that the future rests in the hands of engaged, driven, and empowered youth. We also believe that ‘story’ and storytelling are the inspirational means for shaping our future. Through Animation, Interactive/Gaming, Media, and New Media training and development, Better Youth’s AIM-N-Inspire Program cultivates a sense of character, a heart of service, excellence and accomplishment for foster/TAY and opportunity youth ages 16-24 in the Los Angeles County, by providing state-of-the art training in preparation for careers in the creative economy. With support from Skydance Media, Better Youth participants are encouraged to discover and express their personal voice, develop leadership abilities, use their talents to inspire creativity and change, network with leading media and entertainment mentoring professionals, and build marketable skills that will enable them to pursue their life’s vision. Jason Merrin, AIM Animation Lab Facilitator 2021 AIM Creatives Jayda Valle Blessing Theus Baker Marlene Mendoza Brenden Butterworth Kyori Garcia Ruben Valdez Chelsea Ramirez Rosabella Santiago Breyon Johnson
FILM.png

FILM

Real-to-Reel Global

Explore our curated selection of youth films, both local and global, for a world of storytelling, creativity, and emotion. From comedy to drama, we have a film for you. Click on any of the films and let the stories take you on a new journey.

bottom of page