California Nonprofit of the Year

Healing-centered violence prevention, intervention, and youth development across Orange County

Neutral Ground works with youth, families, schools, and returning community members through restorative practices, mentorship, gang prevention and intervention, case management, re-entry support, and community-based programming. Currently serving 500+ youth annually across 19 school sites in six school districts.

500+
Youth Served Annually
19
School Sites
6
School Districts
8
Core Programs
500+
Youth Served Annually
19
School Sites
6
School Districts
8
Core Programs
22
Staff
12+
Active Grants
Why Neutral Ground

Credibility, consistency, and presence

Schools call Neutral Ground when other approaches have failed. Families call people they already trust. The organization's strength is not just programming - it is credibility, consistency, and presence in the communities most impacted by violence.

Neutral Ground staff do not parachute in. They live in the neighborhoods they serve. They know the families, the schools, the streets, and the stories. That is why the work holds - because the relationships are real.

"We envision communities where safety, belonging, and opportunity are shared by all - where systems choose education before incarceration, restorative justice before punishment, and connection before control."
- Neutral Ground Vision Statement
Nonprofit of the Year - CA District 68
What We Do

Eight core programs, one mission

From school hallways to street corners, Neutral Ground meets young people where they are - with services designed to prevent violence, restore stability, and build futures.

YV

Youth Violence Prevention

Street-level outreach, crisis intervention, conflict mediation, and safety planning delivered by community intervention workers embedded in the neighborhoods they serve.

BC

NG Boxing Club

Structured boxing for ages 11-24 that builds discipline, resilience, and physical wellness alongside mentorship, life skills, and a place to belong.

NH

Nati's House

A transitional home for men 18 and older who are starting over. Nati's House is where Neutral Ground began - providing stable housing, structure, and support so residents can rebuild and move toward independence.

RC

Restorative Circles

Healing-centered circles rooted in restorative practices, including dedicated sessions for children with incarcerated parents and school-based restorative interventions.

SN

Summer Night Lights

Community-based summer programming activating public spaces with food, recreation, and resources during peak violence months in partnership with the City of Santa Ana.

RE

Re-Entry Services

Support for returning citizens including employment readiness, housing support, mentorship, family reunification, and wraparound resource navigation.

CM

Case Management

Individualized service plans, academic support, family engagement, goal tracking, and wraparound coordination so every young person gets a plan and a person in their corner.

SS

School Site Programs

On-campus prevention and intervention across 19 school sites in six districts with mentorship, restorative practices, academic tutoring, and conflict mediation.

Every young person deserves someone in their corner

Whether you want to donate, refer a young person, or partner with us - we would love to hear from you.