More Than Tools: Expanding Trade and Maker Workshops in Compton

Youth economic advancement

South LA Gateway Cities Long Beach

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

In Compton and surrounding communities, many young adults, particularly those not currently in school or employed, face steep barriers to economic opportunity. Career pathways in the trades and creative industries are often inaccessible due to the high cost of training, limited exposure to tools and equipment, and a lack of safe, supportive spaces to explore interests and build skills. These conditions make it difficult for young people to take the first step toward stable employment or sustainable career growth. Our work addresses these gaps by providing hands-on learning, mentorship, and access to tools needed to unlock rewarding opportunities.

Our Tool Library & Makerspace offers free and low-cost workshops that teach practical skills in trade and creative fields. Open to young adults from Compton and surrounding communities, these sessions provide a welcoming space to explore interests, build confidence, and gain hands-on experience with tools and techniques rarely accessible elsewhere. Topics range from electrical basics and woodworking to sewing and laser cutting.
We partner with community organizations, trade unions like IBEW and the Carpenters Union, and private-sector supporters like Swinerton Builders to connect participants with real career pathways. These connections begin in our workshops, where youth are introduced to the tools, skills, and possibilities within the trades, laying a foundation for long-term career development and economic mobility.
With this grant, we will expand the number and frequency of workshops to meet rising demand. Most sessions fill up quickly, often within days, and waitlists continue to grow. Funding will support additional instructors, materials, and extended hours, helping us reach more youth, deepen engagement, and provide more consistent skill-building opportunities.

If our work is successful, more young adults in Compton and the surrounding area will have real pathways into stable, well-paying careers that reflect their interests and strengths. They’ll gain early experience in trade and maker skills without the burden of expensive training programs or intimidation of unfamiliar tools and spaces. Over time, this will build a more prepared, confident, and self-sufficient generation of workers who are ready to contribute to Los Angeles’s economic future. Our workshops will serve as a model for how accessible, community-based skill building can reduce income inequality and expand opportunity across the region.