LA WORKS AWARDED GRANT THROUGH ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER'S CALIFORNIA GANG REDUCTION, INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION INITIATIVE
MARCH, 2008

Irwindale, CA -- As part of an overall strategy to combat gang violence, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger awarded a total of $9.2 million in competitive grants to cities and community-based organizations (CBOs) for gang prevention, intervention and enforcement; and $7.3 million in grants to provide job training and education programs targeting youth at risk of joining gangs or seeking to leave them. These grants are part of the California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention initiative (CalGRIP).

In a press release dated March 3, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the grant recipients awarded through the solicitation process. LA Works is honored to be one of the 19 workforce development agencies selected to participate in this project.

"These grants will help reduce gang violence at the street level, improving public safety and assisting anti-gang efforts in many of our communities, while also aiding in efforts to keep our youth on the right track through education and job skill development," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "California's gang problem calls for a comprehensive and coordinated approach around the state, with a focus on intervention, suppression and prevention. We are continually looking at the most effective approaches to reduce the influence of gangs so today's children don't become tomorrow's criminals or victims."

Governor Schwarzenegger introduced the California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention (CalGRIP) initiative in May of 2007 to confront the recent dramatic increase in gangs across the state and their proliferation in suburban and rural areas. There are more than 420,000 gang members statewide. Gangs are responsible for crimes including money laundering, extortion, narcotic production and sales, prostitution, human trafficking, assassinations for hire, theft and counterfeiting. In spite of an overall decrease in crime in most California cities since the 1990s, rates of gang-related violent crime remain steady.

The LA Works’ GRIP Project will provide two distinct training/job placement programs aimed at eliminating employment and other barriers for gang-affiliated/at-risk youth. Under Path 1, an in-camp program will be implemented for youth (17 to 18) serving sentences at any of three County Probation Camps. Path 2 will provide a work experience program for gang youth 18 to 24 who reside in the San Gabriel Valley. Both programs will 1) provide training in work readiness, life, and basic skills; 2) enable youth to earn an industry-recognized “Diversified Occupations” credential; and 3) prepare youth to begin unsubsidized employment or advanced training. Training and employment will be in a variety of occupations including construction, retail sales, manufacturing and automotive. LA Works will collaborate with the LA County Probation Department, the Sheriff's Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and many other local organizations.

A public agency, LA Works is a WorkSource Center that provides a comprehensive system of training, placement and career planning services for job seekers throughout Southern California. LA Works also provides 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, facility rental and consulting services.

For more information about LA Works, contact
Sandy Meza, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist
LA Works
(626) 960-3964 ext. 2321
sandy.meza@laworks.org

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