About the LAYN project
As many as 7,500 homeless children sleep on the streets
of Los Angeles every night. They often come from
alcoholic and drug addicted families where they were
physically and sexually abused. Many kids have been
abandoned or thrown out on the street and others simply
choose to leave on their own accord — rarely will the
parents report their children missing.
LAYN’s mission is to empower abused, neglected, and
homeless adolescents to become self-sufficient. They
accomplish this by providing street outreach, food,
emergency shelter, transitional living apartments, and
educational enrichment programs in a safe and nurturing
environment.
The Los Angeles Youth Network came under new
leadership in August 2009. The new director inherited
payroll expenses of $60,000 that were due at the end of
the week, with only a $1,500 bank balance. In addition,
LAYN’s main shelter, a 100-year-old house, had fallen into
such disrepair that it had been cited by city inspectors.
Gensler organized a series of small local fundraisers to help
address the youth network’s emergency financial needs,
then solicited product and monetary donations and
recruited labor to renovate the Hollywood shelter. With
the help of a huge slate of generous partners, Gensler LA
raised $15,000 and secured all product and in-kind service
donations for the renovation project.
The house was completely renovated with a primary
focus on usability and safety. The kitchen and baths were
reconfigured to improve circulation and outfitted with new
appliances, plumbing fixtures, millwork and flooring.
Rusted plumbing was replaced with new pipes; new lighting
and outlets were installed and the electric circuits rewired.
Doors, carpeting and lighting were replaced throughout and
the walls were refinished and repainted. Finally, two teams of
designers were given modest budgets and two weekends to
outfit the house with new furniture, window treatments,
bedding, artwork, dinnerware and decorative accessories.
Twelve months later, in August of 2010, the dilapidated
shelter had been transformed into a comfortable house
that the kids are now proud to call home. In every space,
the design and construction tell them loud and clear that
they are loved and far from forgotten.
Gensler received the LAYN Legacy Award in June of 2010
and was recognized by the Los Angeles Youth Network
(LAYN) at its 25th Anniversary Gala on June 10th for
helping the organization stay open during desperate times.
Los Angeles Youth Network
donated Services

Demolition Interior Removal Services

Trash Removal & Labor Services Rogma Construction Services
Millwork & DFH Installation Custom Woodwork
Rough Carpentry Mata Construction
Stone & Ceramic Tile Installation Stile Concepts
Glass & Glazing Rountree Glass
Drywall Mata Construction
Drywall taping Martin Bros.
Carpet Installation DFS Flooring
Painting & Wallcovering Bonas Company
Plumbing Muir-Chase Plumbing
Electrical O’Bryant Electric
Architectural Plans Douglas Stanton Architects

Special thanks to...

For donating all general contracting services

Los Angeles Youth Network

donated products

American Fluorescent Colleen DeStefano

Armstrong / Tri-West Ltd. Ken Teysko
Bentley Prince Street Noreen Nye & Cheryl Peale
DalTile Zoe Rahimi
David Silverman & Associates Peter Juel
Dunn Edwards Dave Major
Eco Rangers Francisco Atig
Toto/Hirsch National Sales Tom Malarkey
Interface Abby Lenon
McMurray Stern Dominique Smith
Mohawk Industries Cameron Grimsley
Symmons Cookie Dash
Tandus Anthia Kappos
The Z Group Dennis Zanrosso
Vista Paint Corporation Mark Brower

Los Angeles Youth Network

dining Room Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
dining Room After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
living Room Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
Living Room After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
Kitchen Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
Kitchen After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
game room Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
game room After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
downstairs bathroom Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
downstairs bathroom After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
upstairs hallway Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
upstairs hallway After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
bedroom 1 After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
bedroom 2 After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
office/bedroom 3 After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
bedroom 4 After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
upstairs bathroom 1 Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
upstairs bathroom 1 After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
upstairs bathroom 2 Before

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network
upstairs bathroom 2 After

Photography by Ryan Gobuty

Los Angeles Youth Network