LEARNPathways to Success program
The El Camino College "Pathways to Success" program is a LEARNing bridge for 200 Formerly Incarcerated students who will gain a viable intersection of academic opportunities that will prepare them for employable skills so they can be productive, responsible and caring citizens. LA2050 will provide funding for FIRST students to gain viable the tools, mentorship, practical work experience in internships, and support fostering career readiness and life skills as the reintegrate into society.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Adult literacy
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
South LA East LA West LA South Bay Central LA
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
Our understanding of the LEARN goal is clear and our Pathways to Success for FIRST students is purpose driven and will positively impact the lives of these Angelenos who are focused of taking a different path to make a difference in their lives. FIRST has existed since the Spring 2020 semester and has served over 200 students. This funding is being requested to allow the program to continue to grow and support our formerly incarcerated and system impacted students. This funding is being requested to allow the program to continue to grow and support students for the 2025-2028 academic year and beyond.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
The LA2050 grant will support 200 FIRST students as they will be fully immersed in the LEARN goal. Additionally, the objectives are provided as follows:
· Increase student access and the enrollment of formerly incarcerated and system impacted students at El Camino College through building long-term and sustainable transition programs and relationships with off-campus resources and area Parole Departments/Offices and continuation schools
· Increase re-integration efforts by supporting academic, professional, and community-building trips
· Increasing the retention rates of students who have been formerly incarcerated.
· Provide individualized academic and career pathway counseling access to current formerly incarcerated and system impacted students
· All formerly incarcerated students who apply to El Camino College and are participants of the Rising Scholars program will have a comprehensive educational plan.
· Increase faculty and staff training development opportunities geared towards serving formerly incarcerated students to close equity gaps
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
LA County will be different with receipt of the LA2050 grant funding because the FIRST students will be placed on "Pathways to Success" as they gain individualized curriculum and employment engagement that will ensure they have viable option to be educated, elevated and empowered. 200 formerly incarcerated individuals will have a paradigm shift in life that will strengthen their family structure, neighborhood and overall community as the reenter to give positive outputs from their structured LEARNED engagement at El Camino College.
The "Pathways to Success" program aims to bridge the gap between education and employment for formerly incarcerated college students by offering structured, paid internships within the academic institution. This initiative seeks to provide practical work experience, mentorship, and financial support to enhance students' career readiness and facilitate successful reintegration into society.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 200
Indirect Impact: 120