This summer, the organization’s annual summer program was funded by the Verdugo Workforce Investment Board, which received $3 million in federal stimulus money for employment services and job training. The board also contracted with Goodwill Industries to provide job-training services.
The brush removal participants were honored by city officials in a hillside ceremony Wednesday, marking the end of 160 hours of paid work. The teenagers donned bright yellow shirts and jeans and many wore work gloves to demonstrate their summer work.
“They realize that having this work experience now is going to help them in the future,” said City Councilwoman Laura Friedman.
The program helps at-risk youth earn money and learn valuable life skills, but it also serves a public service for the community, officials said.
“They are really on the front lines of fire prevention,” said Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, citing the cleared dry brush as smoke filled the sky from raging wildfires in the Angeles National Forest.
Glendale Youth Alliance Program Supervisor Karine Grigoryan said the day was especially meaningful for her as she graduated from the brush clearance program 14 years ago, and has since moved up the program’s ranks. The brush clearance program, which is for the Glendale Youth Alliance’s youngest and unskilled participants, can serve as a stepping stone for future employment opportunities, Grigoryan said.
“Once they learn the value of money, the work ethic, responsibility, they can apply for year round and other summer program work,” she said.
