LOS ANGELES — As a child, Daniel Bisuano was dealt a tough hand, as he grew up in one of East Los Angeles' projects. At that time, he was surrounded by tough family relationships, addiction and more.

What You Need To Know

  • LA County Supervisors appointed individuals with lived experience of the county's youth and family programs to serve on the first Youth Commission

  • Fifteen youth commissioners will take a close look at county juvenile and family services programs to find better policies

  • Daniel Bisuano will be serving as the Third District Commissioner

  • The commissioners' findings will be reported to county Supervisors to co-design policies and programs related to youth

"I spent seven years in and out of incarceration. I grew up in poverty, drug abuse, addiction, stuff like that. So, when I turned the age of 18, I made a decision to change my life and to, like, help my community," Bisuano said.  

He shared that a traumatic car accident changed his perspective on life and helped him focus on the future. Now, as a 25-year-old gay man, he fills his days by going to school, working multiple jobs, and soon, he'll take an active role in shaping how troubled youths navigate through the county's Juvenile and Family and Children Services systems.

"It just meant a new fresh start for me. You know, the ability to not live in poverty anymore," Bisuano said. 

Those experiences — while challenging — have created a path for Bisuano to serve on Los Angeles County's first Youth Commission. County Supervisors are hoping 15 commissioners, like Bisuano, who went through the programs themselves, will bring more insight to county programs and policies. Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl appointed Bisuano to the commission. She shared that experiences like his will help create better programs that impact the county's youth.

"One of the things that we are trying to do in the county is to separate out the administration of youth justice out of probation and into a new youth development department which is probably going to take two to three years. But, we are making those steps. So, this commission is going to have a real impact in the way that we even structure our services to young people," Kuehl said.

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At his doorstep, Bisuano flashed his youth commissioner badge with a smile. It's a small symbol that hangs around his neck that comes with an opportunity to create change.

"I want it to impact people in ways that will give people job opportunities. That will change the stigmas associated with a lot of people in my communities and just to allow us to be more human."

While his past reminds him of what he's been through, he said he's hopeful that his path forward will soon make life easier for the next generation.