Winter

Volume 2 Number 4
Message from
the Executive Director
A
s the holidays
are upon us, we
can take stock of our
accomplishments
and give thanks for
our successes.
For PVJOBS,
our biggest success
stems from our
many workers who
were
placed
in
Ernest Roberts
c a r e e r - t r a c k
Executive Director,
employment
this
PVJOBS
year. Some of them
have been profiled
in our newsletter, but there are many more
who are also transforming themselves to
become productive, proud and self-sufficient human beings. We cannot tell you all
of their stories, but we hope that our
PVJOBS at Work profiles give you some
indication of the hope that is being found
and the dreams that are being realized.
Yet, there is still much to be done, and
your continued support is needed and
welcomed.
Another success that PVJOBS
experienced this year was our recent
“Going To Work” awards luncheon with
Mayor James Hahn.
We’ve also made progress through
our new resources that have allowed us
to increase our staff and provide greater
services to our clients.
Lastly, construction at Playa Vista is
starting to accelerate, which means
increased job opportunities for our clients.
As we embark on a new year, we anticipate that 2002 will bring us even more
successes.
Happy Holidays!
Playa Vista Job Opportunities and Business Services
Winter 2001
MAYOR
JOBS AWARD
WINNERS
AT
MayorHAHN
HahnRECOGNIZES
RecognizesPV
PVJOBS
Award
Winners
“GOING
TO WORK”
RECOGNIZITION
At “Going
To Work”
RecognitionEVENT
Event
L
os Angeles Mayor James Hahn
made a special appearance at the
“Going To Work” awards event in
October to commend PVJOBS workers for
turning their lives around by developing
promising careers at Playa Vista. The
Mayor also utilized the awards event to
encourage local businesses to create similar
j o b p r o g r a m s t h a t p r o v i d e c a r e e r o p p o r t u n ities for the at-risk community.
Lawrence Jackson (far right) receives the Employee of
the Year Award from PVJOBS Board President Michael
Dieden (far left) and Mayor James Hahn (center)
Denise Fleming accepts the Employee of the Year Award
from PVJOBS Executive Director Ernest Roberts
“As our nation struggles to rebuild our
economy and job market – now, more than
ever – our business community must help
put hope back in our workforce by offering
strong job opportunities to at-risk residents,”
said Mayor Hahn, who served as the event’s
k e y n o t e s p e a k e r . “ P V J O B S s e r v e s a s a suc cessful model of how the private sector can
p a r t n e r w i t h l o c a l c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d o r g a n iz a t i o n s a n d l a b o r u n i o n s t o p r o v i d e m e a ningful jobs for the at-risk community.”
As part of the event, Employee of the
Year Awards were presented to two
PVJOBS workers – construction apprentice
Lawrence Jackson, 45, and lather Denise
Fleming, 27 – who each earned high job
performance scores from Playa Vista’s on
site construction managers.
“PVJOBS is a signature program of
Playa Vista, one that demonstrates our
commitment to the community,” said Playa
Vista President Peter Denniston. “The entire
Playa Vista family takes great satisfaction in
its incredible success, and in the good it is
doing to help at-risk youth and young adults
make something positive of their lives.”
Los Angeles Board of Public Works
President Valerie Lynne Shaw received the
Vision Award for her role in guiding the
Department of Public Works in launching a
landmark Project Labor Agreement partly
modeled after PVJOBS. In addition,
Morley Builders, a major Playa Vista contractor, received the Contractor of the Year
Award for the company’s efforts in working
with PVJOBS to implement a successful
construction apprenticeship program for the
at-risk community.
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
PVJOBS at Work
Community in Schools
Community Partners
PVJOBS at Work
GREGORY BONNER:
Finding Himself
breast cancer. Although his
were the same drug dealers
grandmother struggled to
he once admired. “That’s
provide him with what he
when I realized that what I
Until recently, it never occurred to
needed, he yearned to have
did with my life was stupid,”
30-year-old construction worker Gregory
more expensive items, like
he admits. In an effort to
Bonner that he would enjoy working hard
popular brand name shoes
change his life while still in
in the construction industry. For most of
or
prison,
his life, Bonner thought that making
gadgets. When he entered
work as a drywaller for vari -
quick and easy cash would reward him
high
ous prison institutions, a job
with everything he really wanted. His rea -
became
soning has changed over the past several
the fancy cars and fashion -
years, especially since being hired last
able clothes flaunted by
summer to work at the Playa Vista con -
local street thugs who made money by
and was offered a job within a few days
struction site. “Working at a job that
selling drugs or other criminal activity.
of his interview with the job program.
allows me to learn new skills is just what
By his junior year, Bonner started selling
“I’m thankful for PVJOBS because
I need,” he says.
drugs so he could buy the material things
n o t m a n y c o m p a n i e s w o u l d g i v e s o m e-
the
latest
electronic
school,
Bonner
impressed
volunteered
to
he eventually mastered.
Gregory Bonner
After his prison release,
Bonner met with PVJOBS
Finding out what he truly needs has
he’d always longed for. He continued
one with my history an opportunity,” says
eluded Bonner for most of his life. Raised
selling drugs until at age 22 he was arrest-
Bonner,
near the tough streets of Compton,
ed and sentenced to five years in prison.
C
C oo nn ss tt rr uu cc tt ii oo nn , a Playa Vista contractor.
Bonner was reared since age 10 by his
In his first few months in prison,
who
works
for
JJ aa dd ee
“My grandmother is happy that I’ve
grandmother after his mother died from
Bonner recognized many inmates who
f i n a ll y f o u n d m y s e l f . S h e ’ s p r o u d o f m e . ”
ROBERT JIMENEZ:
Wanting Change Bad Enough
While growing up in Norwalk,
p r i s o n s e n t e n c e s f o r d r u g s e l l i n g a n d p o s-
Jimenez was a self-assured child who
session. Finally, shortly after the birth of
earned good grades throughout school.
his now four-year-old daughter, Yanissa,
Even though 31-year-old Robert
But at age nine, his world turned upside
Jimenez turned himself into police for his
Jimenez has only worked at the Playa
down when his mother and stepfather
last drug possession charge “because I
Vista construction site since last spring,
divorced. To ease living expenses for his
was tired of living that way.”
he’s already made quite a name for him -
mother and younger brother, Jimenez
While serving his final prison sen -
s e l f . H i s s w i f t l e a r n i n g c u r v e a n d p e r s e-
moved in with his biological father. Yet,
tence, Jimenez met with a job developer
verance has enabled him to
what seemed like a good
for C
C oo m
mm
m uu nn ii tt ii ee ss II nn SS cc hh oo oo ll ss , a n o n p r o f-
transform his original job as a
move ultimately turned
it organization that provides job opportu -
construction apprentice to his
into a negative one, as
nities for parolees and other at-risk indi-
new role as a manager of seis-
Jimenez was forced to
viduals. After his prison release, Jimenez
mic
endure his father’s physi-
met with PVJOBS, which led to a group
cal and verbal abuse for
interview
the next seven years.
apprenticeship positions offered by C
C oo vv ee
operations.
steady
career
Jimenez’s
progress
has
clearly boosted his confidence
In
about his future in the construc -
an
effort
to
B
B uu ii ll dd ee rr s,
s
for
a
several
Playa
Vista
construction
contractor.
tion industry. “I see myself
escape his father’s abuse,
spending
years
Jimenez moved out on
Inspired by his rapid career ascen -
working in this field, and then
his own during his senior
sion, Jimenez plans to soon enroll in col-
another
20
Robert Jimenez
Jimenez was hired on the spot.
year in high school. That
lege and earn his contractors license. He
same year, he also joined a gang and
feels that his recent life change can serve
began taking drugs.
Although he man -
as a model for others who face chal -
confident about his potential to build a
aged to graduate from high school,
lenges in the job market because of their
solid career. It’s not that he’s ever lacked
Jimenez says he “ended up getting swal -
past. “People can walk away from their
confidence in his abilities. It’s just that he
lowed up by the drug scene.” Over the
old lives,” he says. “They just have to
hasn’t chosen to cultivate them until now.
next decade, he served more than a dozen
want it bad enough.”
I ’ d l i k e t o r u n m y o w n c o n-
struction company one day,” he says.
Jimenez has never before felt so
2
with
he
Playa Vista Job Opportunities and Business Services
Winter 2001
CIS Breaks Barriers Throughout Los Angeles
N
o one can argue that Los Angeles
has plenty of community-based
organizations that specialize in
providing a wide range of social services
for local at-risk youth. But there are very
few organizations that focus on preventing
those youth from ever becoming “at risk.”
Communities In Schools (CIS Inc.) is one
of those rare organizations that works on
doing just that.
Based in both Los Angeles and the
San Fernando Valley, CIS Inc. brings the
community together to connect at-risk
youth and young adults with resources to
help them learn, stay in school and
become productive members of society.
Since gang activity is a major influence
in destroying young lives in countless
neighborhoods across greater Los
Angeles, CIS Inc. works on creating safe
environments and resources that sustain
peace efforts.
The organization is spearheaded by
William “Blinky” Rodriguez, who has
been recognized worldwide for his efforts
to eradicate gang violence. His work
began in 1990, when his 16-year-old son
was killed in a drive-by shooting. It was
his tragedy that inspired Rodriguez to
dedicate his life to ending gang violence.
Despite his enormous grief and intense
anger, Rodriguez and his wife found the
courage to meet the three killers face-tof a c e i n t h e c o u r t r o o m – n o t f o r r e t r i b ution, but to forgive them.
Through a series of meetings,
Rodriguez negotiated a truce, called The
Valley Unity Peace Treaty, which was
Community In Schools’ Blinky Rodriguez
signed by over 75 gangs with more than
1 0 , 0 0 0 m e m b e r s . T h e t r e a t y s u c c e s s f u lly reduced gang-related deaths in two
y e a r s – f r o m 5 2 t o o n l y t w o t h a t p a r t i c ipated in the treaty. In 1994, the peace
PVJOBS Employment Update
Construction continues at the
Fountain Park Apartments and Water’s
Edge, located at the northeast corner of
Lincoln and Jefferson Boulevards.
Other construction continues at Playa
Vista, including the infrastructure work
at the wetlands. Also, residential development south of Jefferson Boulevard is
accelerating.
We anticipate ongoing and increased
job placement opportunities throughout the
next quarter at Playa Vista. We also are
receiving job opportunities from contrac tors that work outside of Playa Vista. We
expect that 150 new positions will become
available to PVJOBS over the next quarter.
Needed workers include carpenters, plas terers, painters, roofers, plumbers, laborers,
tile installers and finishers, flooring
installers and brick masons. Of special
concern is our ongoing need for electri-
Winter 2001
cians, operating engineers and sheet metal
workers. Please refer to The Union Book
2001 for instructions and procedures for
union entry.
As of November 2001, our database
contained 1,132 active job candidates. We
h a v e f i l l e d 2 7 3 p o s i t i o n s w i t h 2 0 7 c a n d idates (136 are currently working on and off
site). In addition, many other workers who
were originally referred by PVJOBS are
now pursuing careers in construction-related positions at projects beyond the
PVJOBS program. Candidates who are
being referred for the first time constitute
almost all of our current referrals.
Please note that the chart to the right
includes all active candidates in our data base, including those who are unemployed
(waiting
for
work)
and
currently
employed. For more information, please
call us at (310) 448-4684.
treaty project evolved into CIS Inc. to
e x p a n d i t s s e r v i c e s t o i n c l u d e i n t e r v e ntion, prevention and community empow erment programs.
One strategy that the organization
uses to unite gang members is exposing
them to constructive activities. For
example, since 1993, CIS Inc. has
launched more than 200 sporting events for rival gangs. “It’s
i m p o r t a n t f o r e v e r y c o m m u n ity to offer youth a variety of
options and activities while
helping them cultivate enough
relationships to access those
options,” says Rodriguez.
CIS Inc. also works at
the grassroots level to provide
career opportunities for local
youth and parolees. The
organization has worked with
PVJOBS since 1998 to provide construction jobs for
numerous at-risk youth from
their
neighborhoods.
“Our
organization works not only in the letter
of collaboration, but also in the spirit of
collaboration. PVJOBS has helped us
because they have that spirit,” says
Rodriguez.
Construction
Trade
Number in
Database
Carpenters
Flooring/Carpet Layers
466
19
Concrete Masons/Finishers
Electricians*
Iron Workers
57
24
90
Laborers
Tile/Marble/Brick Masons
Operating Engineers*
543
186
8
Painters
Plasterers
Plumbers
211
59
133
Roofers
Sheet Metal Workers*
89
13
* Trades Specifically Needed
Playa Vista Job Opportunities and Business Services
3
PVJOBS COMMUNITY PARTNERS
LAUSD APPRENTICE PREPARATION PROGRAMS (open to all)
African American Unity Center (Mr. Hammond)
(323) 789-5656
Los Angeles Technology Center (Mr. Wilcox, x236) (323) 732-0153
ONE STOP CENTERS
(adults, geographical or other restrictions may apply)
Beach Cities One Stop (Mr. Addo, x3257)
Community Centers One Stop (Mr. Ruvalcaba)
Marina Del Rey One Stop (Ms. Waters, x212)
Urban League One Stop (Mr. Parham)
Wilshire-Koreatown One Stop (Mr. Richard)
WLCAC One Stop (Mr. Williams)
(310) 318-0645
(323) 752-2115
(310)-309-6000
(323) 732-7867
(213) 736-8567
(323) 732-7867
YOUTH AND ADULT PROGRAMS
(geographical or other restrictions may apply)
CCTP (Ms. Aguilar)
Community Build (Mr. Bektamba)
Chrysalis, Santa Monica (Ms. Zepeda)
Chrysalis/New Directions (Vets, Ms. Slayton)
Communities in Schools (Mr. Leija)
Jobs for a Future/Homeboy Inds. (Mr. Prieto)
Joint Efforts Inc. (Mr. Brookes, x116)
Housing Authority of L.A. (Mr. Smith)
IAM Cares, Compton (Disabled, Ms. Mitchell)
IAM Cares, L.A. (Disabled, Ms. Gray)
LA Vets (Vets only, Ms. Harris)
(310) 673-3941
(323) 789-9950
(310) 392-4117
(310) 914-4045
(818) 891-9399
(323) 526-1254
(310) 831-2358
(213) 252-1810
(310) 631-9606
(323) 584-9453
(310) 348-7600
YOUTH AND ADULT PROGRAMS (continued)
Mar Vista Family Center (Ms. Diaz)
NO GUNS (Ex-gang affiliated, Mr. Marroquin)
Radio Sin Fronteras (Mr. Sarabia)
S.M. Barrios Unidos (Mr. Lares)
Save Our Future (Mr. & Mrs. Jordan)
SC PWI/SCRS (Ms. Ziegler)
Union Rescue Mission (Mr. Hopkins)
Unity One (Ex-gang affiliated, Mr. Taylor)
The WorkPlace (Parolees, Mr. Portillo)
(310) 390-9607
(310) 672-9348
(213) 250-3319
(310) 453-9492
(323) 291-6623
(310) 345-5713
(213) 347-6300
(213) 963-5843
(213) 386-3055
YOUTH PROGRAMS (restrictions may apply)
Boyle Heights Y.O.M. (Mr. Burks)
CCEO YouthBuild (Mr. Delgado)
Covenant House of California (Mr. Aranda)
Goals for Life (Mr. Berry
Kulick Youth Opportunities (Ms. Minor)
LA Youth at Work (Ms. Chaipen)
PACE/SIPA YouthBuild (Mr. Leonares)
Peacekeeper ARK (Ms. Adams)
United Friends of the Children (Mr. Ruge)
VCHC YouthBuild (Ms. Murphy, x117)
Walden House Inc. (Mr. Medina)
YES YouthBuild (Mr. Drew)
(323) 260-4796
(310) 225-3060
(323) 957-7455
(562) 698-1501
(323) 789-2773
(213) 847-1584
(213) 580-0020
(310) 276-9046
(310) 410-2565
(310) 399-4100
(213) 763-6238
(323) 567-0091
For more information, call PVJOBS at (310) 448-4684.
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Newsletter designed and produced by the Graphic Design class, Venice Skills Center, Venice, CA