Elise Sanchez works as the Grants Writer and Coordinator at Homeboy Industries, a non-profit in Los Angeles that provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals, helping them redirect their lives and become contributing members of the community.
As a Los Angeles native, Elise is passionate about uplifting disenfranchised communities affected by systemic racism, including environmental racism, that oppresses these populations. With a strong commitment to restorative justice and intersectional environmentalism, Elise also collaborates with LA Compost, southern California’s largest composting community, and Feed the Streets, a small non-profit that provides nutritious meals to those suffering from homelessness and addiction, primarily in MacArthur Park, Hollywood, and Skid Row. Additionally, Elise is a Climatebase Fellow, aiming to connect with like-minded individuals and accelerate her career in the climate sector. Elise is excited to join the L.A. Young Leaders Council to collaborate with others in making parks more accessible to often-excluded community members and to work on preserving these precious spaces.