Photos:: A respite from a life on the streets

Vonie Bonjour, a 19-year-old transgender woman, has spent more than a week at the center.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Connie Dixon waits nervously for a placement at a foster home.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Brittany, 16, yells: “All you need to know is that I hate this place and I hate the law!”  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

At night, cots are rolled out and the children slip under the sheets.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

On this night, out of nearly 30 youths, only one has just entered foster care for the first time: Ruben.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Police brought a 16-year-old in handcuffs after they discovered her on the Metro Blue Line with a counterfeit $100 bill.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County’s Youth Welcome Center is a converted dining hall at a public hospital.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

At night, cots are rolled out and the children slip under the sheets.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Youths are fed at the center while they wait to be placed in a foster home.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Social worker Deborah Heath, left, promises Regina Cooper that she will find her a foster home.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Regina Cooper, left, talks to social worker Janice Heather.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Social worker Deborah Heath, left, tells foster guest, Connie - a mother of a young child- that she is working hard to find her a home.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Social worker Kent Bennett plays basketball with foster care youth Taylor, 19.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Social workers like Deborah Heath, right, work at a frantic pace to make placement calls.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

A youth holds onto her stomach as she waits to be taken to her new foster home.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)