Week of July 17, 2023

LA RIVER RANGERS IS HIRING 127 YOUTH!!!

In collaboration with LA Conservation Corps, EWDD is seeking to hire 127 young Angelenos through the HIRE LA’s Youth program to become L.A. River Rangers. The program, managed by the Corps, offers 18-30 year olds 12 months of full-time employment, providing critical maintenance and operation services along the 18 miles of the LA River.

The program gives participants education, training and employment opportunities, and it also allows them to improve local communities. “We are not just cleaning the river, we are improving walkways, bypasses and parks along the river, so this will have a positive impact on the communities surrounding it,” said LA Conservation Corps Program Director Karla Ramos.

At the conclusion of their time with the program, participants are granted a pathway to a full-time career with the City of LA. Below are the stories of Genesis and Jennifer, two participants who joined the program.

Around the time of her high school graduation, Genesis didn’t have a job lined up. That is until her high school principal let her know about the LA Conservation Corps.

After learning about how the program helps fund participants’ college education, Genesis applied through Hire LA’s Youth to become a Corps’ L.A. River Ranger.

During her on-the-job training and continued employment, Genesis has received her OSHA and CPR certifications. She has also acquired workforce skills, such as learning how to weed wack, and has received assistance in signing up for colleges. Genesis hopes to study aviation mechanics and begin her college courses in August 2023.

In 2022, Jennifer was in need of a job in order to provide for herself and her son.

Upon hearing from a friend that had experience working as an LA River Ranger, Jennifer submitted her application and was then hired within two weeks.

The program not only provided Jennifer with stable income, she also received guidance from her managers so she could get her driver's license. They also helped her enroll at Saito High School, which will allow her to complete her high school education, since she had to dropout of high school due to getting pregnant at a young age.

HIRE LA'S YOUTH

CENTRAL/DTLA JOB FAIR A SUCCESS!!!

More than 120 job seekers braved a scorching hot day to attend the Central/Downtown Los Angeles Regional Connect-LA Job Fair on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Held in the Culinary Arts Building at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) campus, 64 employers and 15 resource providers filled the culinary hall, offering jobs in multiple industries, including child care, construction, government and health care.

“What we really want to do is get people to work,” said Joel Jacinto, Business Services Representative for the West Adams WorkSource Centers. “As the pandemic is ending and we’re moving forward with our lives, it’s so important for the economic wellbeing of Los Angeles that we get people to work in good, high-road, family supporting jobs and that’s what this important event is here today for.

EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull thanked members of the job fair’s planning committee for making the event possible, including: AADAP, Central City Neighborhood Partners, CRCD, California EDD, LATTC, PACE, Para Los Niños, UAW, and the UCLA YouthSource Center.

Stay tuned for the next job fair, scheduled for this fall. Are you a job seeker looking for work? Come visit one of EWDD’s 17 WorkSource Centers. For more information and locations, visit bit.ly/EWDDWorkSource.

Click above or below to watch the LA This Week story produced by Channel 35.

Connect-LA Job Fair

PUPPY LOVE!!! LAX PUPS VISIT WATTS YOUTHSOURCE

Last Friday, July 14, the Southeast YouthSource Center (YoWatts YSC) was honored to welcome LAX Pups, an LAX Airport Guest Services therapy dog program designed to provide stress relief and comfort at one of the busiest airports in the world.

This visit filled youth participants and staff with excitement, and offered much needed anxiety/stress relief. They were glad to meet each of the handlers and therapy dogs. Youth said that their spirits were lifted, their hearts were full, and they appreciated the peace and calm the guests provided. This collaboration is one example of how teaming the YouthSource Centers with organizations enhances community relationships and resources to underserved communities.

Are you an Angeleno ages 14-24 that is interested in job and educational opportunities? Visit your local YouthSource Center today!

EWDD RESOURCES & JOB FAIRS

*Click on images to learn more!

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If you have any questions, comments, or wish to have a contribution considered for inclusion in an upcoming EWDD Updates, please contact Jamie Francisco at (213) 744-9048 or Jamie.Francisco@lacity.org