Employers benefit from “free” labor
Youth learn while making money
LANCASTER, Calif.—Business owners and professionals in the Antelope Valley, who have ever wanted free labor or a helping hand, will find that the Archdiocesan of Los Angeles is granting your wishes this season.
The Archdiocesan Youth Employment Services (AYE) of Catholic Charities places young people in more than 2,000 jobs across the county at no expense to employers. Federally funded since 1965, the program has helped more than 75,000 youth receive an income, on-the-job training, and career services.
Youth aged 16 to 21 have a range of options including classroom training, mentorship, career planning, occupational training, and workforce preparation.
“We are not only providing a job, but supportive services to get them back on their feet,” said Nicolle Irving, instructor at the AYE Antelope Valley office. “We help (youth) get a well-rounded experience. We provide bus passes, clothing, childcare assistance, and my favorite part, a $2,100 (stipend) for post-secondary education.”
Participants are limited to studying under one of three educational opportunities upon completion of the program—EMT, dental assistant, and customer service programs at select schools in the AV.
Lately, the AV office has been flooded with older youth, who have not completed high school and are out of work. Irving explained that many young parents who are looking for ways to provide for their children often apply as well.
“We tend to get older youth who didn’t finish school, and we have a lot of moms and dads needing assistance for their children,” she said. “We like to get them enrolled into a GED program before we get them back to work because it’s going to be hard for them to get hired after the program is over, if they don’t have their education.”
Currently, AYE-AV has numerous opportunities for youth to begin working in retail. Irving explained that many employers, especially small business owners either hesitate to hire the free help for fear they will have out-of-pocket expenses. But she reassures that all checks, taxes and insurance are paid through the program. She added that AYE has gone unnoticed in the community for quite some time.
All that is required of employers is to provide a tax I.D., have a stable location, and offer a youth-friendly job.
Youth interested in applying must be considered low-income (based on an AYE income chart), and prove they have a hardship that prevents them from obtaining employment (low test scores in school, lack of transportation, foster child, etc.). Participants have the option to work during the summer or complete their 140-hour program in a year.
Applications to become an employer or employee are received all-year-round. Youth may apply at the office located at 1420 West Ave. I in Lancaster every Thursday at 4 p.m.
For more information, visit aye-la.org or call (661) 945-2277.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles announced today its inaugural “100 New Mentors in 100 Days Campaign” in an effort to close the gap between children in need of mentors and available volunteers.
To mark January as National Mentor Month, organization officials actively are recruiting positive adult role models to serve as Big Brothers and Big Sisters to children between 6 and 18 years old.
Youth Mentoring Connection awakens at-risk youth to their power, unique gifts and purpose by matching them with caring adult mentors and placing that match within a structured group dynamic that provides the resources youth need to reach productive, conscious adulthood.
