FACE Kicks-off Paid Program for AAPI Youth Ages 14-2 In partnership with LA County WDACS Youth@Work Program
LOS ANGELES, CA — On Thursday, July 8th at 10am PDT, FACE was joined by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District, LA County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS), other County Departments, business partners, and youth participants to launch FACE’s AAPI Youth@Work program as part of its AAPI Career Pathways Initiative to reach more AAPI youth.
The AAPI population make up 15% of the county population, yet only 3% of the Youth@Work are AAPI students. This initiative in partnership with WDACS is aimed at addressing this gap.
Youth@Work prepares underserved youth ages 14-24 who live in LA County for jobs and careers. The 120-hour internship provides students job training opportunities depending on their interest with one of 40 different departments in Los Angeles County or with private and nonprofit companies. Participants are paid $15/hour. In person and virtual job opportunities are available. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with mentors and to attend leadership seminars.
Youth@Work pairs paid work experience for youth with a comprehensive and strategic set of employment, training, and support services provided through the County’s network of America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC).
Hyepin Im, FACE President & CEO, stated, “This past pandemic year, with over 6600 reported hate incidents against AAPI, new awareness has risen of the disparities, suffering, and racial inequities experienced by AAPI communities. Despite high educational attainment by many AAPI groups, they experience the lowest rates of being promoted to management. Our AAPI Youth@Work Initiative in partnership with LA County WDACS will allow a pathway for many AAPI youth to achieve their full potential. On behalf of FACE, we are thankful to partner with LA County to offer this excellent opportunity and also address the gap of low AAPI participation in the Youth@Work Program.”
Supervisor Hilda Solis, Chair to the LA County Board of Supervisors said, ‘Now more than ever, we must prepare our youth for the modern economy through accessible job training programs, particularly within the County’s flagship Youth@Work Initiative. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like FACE, the County is incorporating equity into our mission and making a concerted effort to increase the number of AAPI participants in the Youth@Work initiative.”
Otto Solorazano, Director of the LA County WDACS stated that, “During the pandemic, Youth@Work participants made a real impact and saved lives through food distribution and PPE creation. As we continue to re-engage youth in our reopening economy, it’s important that Youth@Work builds connections with young people from every community. A critical component of this effort is our partnership with FACE to increase AAPI involvement in Youth@Work.”
Additionally, current Youth@Work participant, Halena Ho had this to say about her experience in the program, “Being in this program has made a really big impact on me and my future. I’ve learned the necessary skills I would need as part of growing up and I really believe it is super essential for every young teenager who wants to find a job or partake in the program because it really helps develop the valuable life skills you need.”
Other speakers included LACCD Board Member Mike Fong, Councilmember Jason Pu & Vice Mayor Tony Ding of San Gabrielle and Won Sik Myung, President of PAVA.
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