APCH’s Workforce Readiness Initiative

Youth economic advancement

South LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

A Place Called Home's PREP program addresses a critical disconnect between South LA's youth potential and economic opportunity. Our community faces poverty rates double the county average, with 86% of members below the federal poverty line and 28% youth unemployment. The stark reality: 55% of adults lack high school diplomas, creating skills deficits preventing access to stable employment.Our participants—PREP juniors/seniors and Da Vinci Rise students face compounding barriers including housing instability and family obligations that traditional programs ignore. After thirty years, we've witnessed how absence of post-secondary pathways perpetuates generational poverty. The innovation gap lies in workforce development's failure to address trauma through holistic support. Our breakthrough approach recognizes youth need wraparound services building social-emotional competencies alongside technical skills, creating direct pipelines to high-growth industries through strategic partnerships.

A Place Called Home's Professional Readiness & Employment Pathways (PREP) program is partnering with JVS SoCal to create a comprehensive pipeline from workforce preparation to industry certification in high-paying careers. This initiative addresses South LA's stark reality where 86% of our members live in poverty and youth unemployment remains critically high.
The program operates through a structured pathway: Students begin with PREP's foundational curriculum providing career exploration, resume development, interviewing skills, team building, and business acumen training in marketing, finance, and leadership. This 18-week preparation phase builds both technical competencies and social-emotional resilience through integrated counseling support addressing trauma and life stressors.
Following classroom preparation, students gain practical work experience through strategic internships at APCH's administrative offices and with industry partners DBS Bank (banking/finance), Keenan (marketing), and LuskinOIC (healthcare). These internships help students visualize themselves in high-earning careers while building professional networks.
The innovation lies in our direct pipeline: students completing banking and healthcare internships transition immediately into JVS SoCal's intensive 8-week certification programs. This creates immediate job placement opportunities alongside collegiate pursuits, breaking generational poverty cycles.

Expanding A Place Called Home's PREP program will support a reduction in South LA's youth unemployment by providing 500+ students with employable skills in banking and healthcare industries. Students will gain resume development, interview skills, business acumen, and practical work experience through strategic internships with DBS Bank, Keenan, and LuskinOIC. Combined with JVS SoCal certification programs, graduates will have direct pathways to high-paying careers after high school and during college.
Our counseling support addresses life stressors while building workplace readiness tools. This approach will attract additional employers seeking trained talent, catalyzing broader economic development in South LA. The program strengthens families through increased household income, reduces crime through economic opportunity, and positions LA County as a leader in workforce development.