Building a Future for Local At-Risk Youth; Organization's Reach Extends Beyond Adult Job Seekers and Businesses

Irwindale--LA Works, a WorkSource Center providing assistance to businesses and career seekers throughout the northeastern San Gabriel Valley, has partnered with the city of Azusa, the Azusa Unified School District and the East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupation Program in a unique project that provides local "at-risk" youth with free training in the construction field. The goals of this project are to guide students into a rewarding career path and to motivate them to earn their General Education Diploma or High School Diploma. The youth, under the supervision and training of licensed contractors, are building a 1400 square-foot house in Azusa that will feature three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage. The home is located at 410 Alameda Street North in Azusa and belongs to the city.

Brotherly Duo: Moreno brothers, Darwin and Edwin, of Azusa are part of LA Works contingent of youth building a home from the ground up in Azusa. The young men divide their time between the classroom, the job site, and one of two LA Works' youth programs: Home Improvement and City Beautification.

Defined as "at-risk" local youth, because they are between the ages of 18 and 24, are economically disadvantaged and out-of-school, LA Works has twenty youth participating in the project in groups of four and five, one-day-a-week. In addition to the home construction project, the youth are also enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College's Basic Skills Lab one-day-a-week with the objective of earning their high school diplomas or to pass the GED examination. The youth participate in the home construction once a week. On the other days, they either participate in LA Works' Home Rehabilitation Project or the Community Beautification Program.

"Everyone in this effort is a winner," said LA Works Assistant CEO, Kathryn Ford and director of the Community Services Division. "The entities involved are reaching out to assist their "at-risk" youth while improving their cities. Azusa Unified School District, the ROP and LA Works are able to offer training that meets the needs of our young people. Most importantly, the students will work towards their educations and learn important job skills that will last a lifetime."

The youth participating in the home construction project are currently involved in one of two projects with LA Works. The first, in conjunction with the City of Monrovia is called the Home Improvement Program and teaches youth to repair deteriorating homes to pristine condition. The Community Beautification Programs with the cities of Azusa and Glendora, improve the condition of parks and city streets.

"I have learned to drive a Bobcat and properly use a table saw and jig saw; I have always wanted to learn how to use power tools," said Darwin Moreno, a LA Works youth participating in the program. "I am also earning credits towards my education. Everyone has been really patient with me."

In addition to its programs for youth, LA Works continues to provide a wide range of professional services to businesses, including: On-the-Job Training Programs, Job Placement and Training Assistance, Internet Job Postings, Recruitment Services, Videoconferencing and Consultant Works; and to job seekers, a comprehensive system of training, placement and career planning services. . Since July 1999, LA Works has helped fill 1,621 job openings with 663 employers and assisted 875 job seekers to find jobs. Based in Irwindale, CA, and with a Mini Career Center located at the San Dimas Unified School District Campus, LA Works was founded in 1976 as the primary public job training and placement center for residents of cities in the east San Gabriel Valley.

For more information, contact:
Julie Yue, Public Relations & Business Services Coordinator
LA Works
(626) 960-3964 ext. 2321
juliey@laworks.org

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