Grant Helps Connect Youth To Careers

By Carla M. Collado
Staff Writer

On Tuesday, July 1, six local organizations will begin receiving a total of $1.6 million in grants to help give disadvantaged area youth better access to academic and vocational training and connect them to job opportunities in Long Beach.

The city’s Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network — which is handing out the grants — received the money through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Investment Act, explained Network Director Bryan Rogers. The six “Youth Career Academies” will receive the funding for two years (July 1, 2008-June 30, 2010).

The academies are: the ACCORD/Community; Upward Bound Program at California State University, Long Beach; Centro CHA (Community Hispanic Association); Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County; Los Angeles Unified School District; and the Occupational Therapy Training Program at Special Service for Groups.

Rogers explained that the purpose of the grants is to link these business, labor, education, faith-based and community organizations and help them prepare youth for careers in various industries. These industries include healthcare, trade, transportation and logistics, construction, energy and utilities, hospitality and tourism, among others.

“These are some of the high growth and high demand industries in the market,” Rogers said.

The grant projects will target disadvantaged youth in the cities of Lomita, Long Beach, Signal Hill and Torrance — whether they’re economically disadvantaged, school drop-outs, young parents, homeless or foster youth or just have difficulties at school, Rogers said.

The goal is to help them succeed academically and connect them to internships, apprenticeships and other work-based experiences, even volunteer opportunities (for youth as young as 15 years old).

“We’re so lucky to have real strong opportunities in many different career industries,” Rogers said, “and it’s important for us to find avenues to give youth the opportunity … to create excitement about what they can be in the future.”

For more information, visit www.longbeach.gov/cd/workforce or call the city’s Youth Opportunity Center at 570-4700.