What We Do

Since 2010, Finish First Academy has been serving residents in Los Angeles county.

Finish First Academy (FFA) is a community-based nonprofit organization in the Watts community dedicated to empowering youth and women to build stable, successful futures. Founded on the belief that access to opportunity, guidance, and practical support can change life outcomes, FFA provides programs that focus on education, life skills, workforce readiness, and personal development. Our sole purpose is rooted in one word: authenticity.

FFA works with youth and women who face barriers related to housing instability, limited access to resources, academic challenges, and economic hardship. Through a combination of structured programming and hands-on support, FFA helps participants develop the tools they need to make positive choices, set meaningful goals, and move toward long-term stability and independence.

Core services include youth empowerment workshops, academic support, workforce preparation, and life skills training. These programs are designed to meet participants where they are and provide real-world skills that can be applied immediately. Youth and young adults learn essential skills such as time management, communication, financial basics, goal setting, and problem solving, while also gaining exposure to career pathways, educational options, and leadership development opportunities.

In addition to youth programming, FFA provides transitional housing and supportive services for women who are working to rebuild stability and move toward self-sufficiency. These services are designed to support women as they pursue education, employment, and personal growth, while addressing barriers that may impact housing stability, income, and long-term independence.

FFA places a strong emphasis on prevention, positive decision-making, and healthy alternatives to risky behaviors. Programs are designed to encourage accountability, confidence, and resilience, while creating safe spaces for participants to express themselves, build supportive relationships, and develop a positive sense of identity.

Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and local stakeholders, FFA extends its reach and impact within the communities it serves. Monthly community-based events, youth leadership activities, and women’s empowerment initiatives help strengthen community connections and reinforce consistent, positive support systems.

Finish First Academy is committed to long-term outcomes, not just short-term participation. By focusing on building up our program participants, FFA helps move youth and the women we serve from not just surviving but thriving