Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Tanu Henry | California Black Media
Last week, federal and state officials commemorated the launch of a new professional development program for California Service Corps Alumni.
The public-private partnership was created to provide early career job opportunities for young people that worked in the service force. The state’s service force consists of Californians For All College Corps, California Climate Action Corps, Californians For All Youth Jobs Corps, and AmeriCorps California.
California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday said that the skills of the service force alumni are critical to California’s workforce.
Victor Dominguez, President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles said that the program will empower California’s youth to live up to their potential.
“Together, we can create a pipeline of outstanding, diverse talent and most importantly, a pathway to upward mobility?for those who deserve it most,” he said in a statement.
Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, said that the program will be impactful for young professionals seeking careers in public service.
“California’s greatness has always been driven by its people. Now, young leaders are stepping up across California to confront climate change and other key challenges,” he said.
The program will help the state meet its workforce needs to further economic opportunity and development statewide. Alumni will be paired with jobs that align with their skills, qualifications, and professional experience. The young career hopefuls will be given the chance to network with future employers and mentors in priority sectors such as education, trades, and climate.
Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction,?said that young educators of the service force helped support the needs of the state’s Department of Education.
Many of the service force members, “are a critical pipeline to provide our students across California the diverse, talented educators and mental health school counselors they deserve,” Thurmond stated.
Several alumni recalled that working for the state’s service corps ignited their passion for education. The experience also helped them understand the need for diversity and cultural competence in the classroom.
AmeriCorps California alumnus?Abelardo Juarez said that serving as a tutor sparked his passion for education and helped him gain hands-on experience in the classroom.
“The experience made me realize that we need more men of color in the classroom, which became another piece of encouragement to pursue a career in education,” Juarez said.
