Keep Los Angeles Youth Employed and In School

Your generous donations provide work readiness training and interview outfits for LA Corpsmembers. The LA Corps partnered with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce to provide two comprehensive work readiness trainings to 30 young adults. Thanks to generous donors like you, this project has built confidence and professionalism among young adults participating in the LA Conservation Corps. Christen Summers,* an LA Conservation corpsmember who recently took part in work readiness training, states she "is very grateful and excited to join a training that will help me now and in my future." She completed a professional portfolio and passed a professional mock interview. In addition to gaining new skills, she also received a gift card to obtain interview clothing. She has been a corpsmember for the last seven months and attends high school at The Education Corps. She works part-time while she attends school. Once she graduates from high school she will use the skills gained in the work readiness training to transition into full-time, living wage employment.

All participants received first hand tips from working professionals and prepared a personal portfolio. Each portfolio includes a resume and application for an employment opportunity of their choice. After completing a resume and application, each participant was interviewed by a working professional and given suggestions for improvement. Corpsmembers received a gift card to purchase interview clothing. They dressed professionally and made an excellent impression on the interviewers. Thanks to your generous support the LA Corps Transition team successfully trained 30 young adults for the working world! Interested in using your professional skills to make a difference? We need professionals to conduct professional mock interviews. Our next mock interview session is Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 8:30am to 12pm. For more information about volunteering, please contact Roxana Aguilar at raguilar@lacorps.org or (213) 840-1079.

Thank you for helping us prepare LA Conservation corpsmembers for work opportunities! Interested in continuing to support the LA Conservation Corps? Like us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/LACorps and support one of our global giving projects https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/the-sea-lab-marine-science-aquarium-fish-conservation/

Thank you,

Roxana Aguilar

Vocational Training Coordinator

*Name changed to protect participants identity

Your generous support for this project funds the LA Conservation Corps transition program. After participating in our training program for more than a year, corps members are motivated to enroll in college, participate in an internship/fellowship or gain employment in their field of interest. Transition can be a difficult journey filled with doubt, fear, and excitement about available opportunities and upcoming change. Due to funding constraints, our program could no longer provide stipends to corpsmembers, creating an economic hardship for participants. Your generous support alleviates this problem by providing much needed financial support.

Shawntrice Leichhardt-Young is a former corpsmember whom greatly benefited from the services provided by the transition program. While in the LA Corps, Shawntrice served as a Clean and Green member for two summers, and as a Front Desk Attendant for two years. During a recent visit by Microsoft representatives, she was selected to participate in a photo shoot that featured corps members. Shawntrice is well known for her warm smile, amazing customer service skills and efficiency in a fast paced office environment. When Shawntrice learned about her upcoming transition from the LA Corps, she was nervous about her future prospects. Shawntrice supports herself financially, attends college, and works full-time. Shawntrice is studying to become a Social Worker. It was vital to find a job that worked with her college schedule.

A few weeks before transitioning from the LA Corps, the Transition Department received news of the Pathways Fellowship. With the support of Transition staff, Shawtrice applied for the fellowship and was selected to participate in a three month, paid fellowship. The Pathways Fellowship provides professional mentorship, leadership training, and field experience in a non-profit focused on social service. She is very excited to participate in a fellowship designed to support her college and career goals.

We welcome your continued support as we develop internship and fellowship opportunities for transitioning corps members! Interested in hosting a corps member intern in your company or organization? Please contact our Vocational Training and Transition Services Coordinator, Roxana Aguilar, with internship and fellowship leads raguilar@lacorps.org or 213-840-1079. Thank you for your generous contribution!