The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and Kids Progress, Inc. hosted its first Summer Opportunity Project Workshop for 100 youth between the ages of 14 through 18 living in public housing developments across the city.
Summer Opportunity Project is an initiative created by President Barack Obama to provide first jobs to youth and aid in the efforts to reduce the “opportunity gap”. Providing summer opportunities to youth have shown successful outcomes in helping divert youth from engaging in criminal activities and violence while exposing them to their first experiences in the workforce and building necessary skills that promote self-efficiency. Prior to starting their summer jobs through the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program, the students will participate in this one day workshop.
In collaboration with Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles as well as Watts/Los Angeles WorkSource Center, the all day workshop included a panel of speakers to address topics of post-secondary options, financial aid, pathways to careers and financial literacy. The community and private partners included LA Chamber of Commerce Unite-LA, The Campaign for College Opportunity, GitHub and Bank of America.
To learn more about the Summer Opportunity Project, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/25/fact-sheet-white-house-announces-new-summer-opportunity-project-0