Southeast : YOUTH CORPS

Hundreds of disadvantaged youths have found employment across Southeast Los Angeles County through a federally funded Youth Corps project.

The program employs and provides education to 16- to 21-year-olds while maintaining parks, athletic fields and street medians throughout Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood and Norwalk.

Employees are expected to attend career seminars, undergo daily two-mile jogs and continue education programs aimed at bettering their grades or helping them complete high school equivalency examinations.

Youths qualify for the program if they face hardships such as poverty, criminal histories or teenage parenthood. They are referred to the program by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and area schools.