NONPROFIT, UNION JOIN IN JOBS PROGRAM TRAINING SCHOOL AIMS AT GIVING YOUTHS SECOND CHANCE.Byline: Beth Barrett Staff Writer Communities in Schools, a North Hills nonprofit that runs gang prevention and intervention programs, is expanding its job-training efforts by partnering with a union that's opening a center on Saturday in Azusa. The Laborers Training School, operated under the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Laborers Training and Retraining re·train tr. & intr.v. re·trained, re·train·ing, re·trains To train or undergo training again. re·train Apprenticeship Program, will help students learn skills needed in such fields as landscaping, concrete and asphalt asphalt (ăs`fôlt, –fălt), brownish-black substance used commonly in road making, roofing, and waterproofing. Chemically, it is a natural mixture of hydrocarbons. work, and forklift operations. William ``Blinky'' Rodriguez, executive director of Communities in Schools, said the teens and young adults at risk of joining gangs can undergo initial training at a center scheduled to open next spring in Pacoima, then can get more comprehensive training at the Azusa campus. ``It means a lot to the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . It means an opportunity for individuals going toward gangs ... to transition to a better life. It will let them see hope,'' Rodriguez said. Sergio Rascon, business manager for Laborers Local 300, said partnerships with groups like Communities in Schools, government entities and others are being forged throughout Southern California. ``I believe in working with people that want a second chance,'' Rascon said. ``If you give someone a second chance, you can do wonders. Those people become a success story. They themselves bring in other people, based on the results they got.'' Ruben Ramos, 28, of North Hollywood was an 18th Street gang member until Communities in Schools and the union turned his life around. After training provided by the groups, Ramos today is a shop steward A Labor Union official elected to represent members in a plant or particular department. The shop steward's duties include collection of dues, recruitment of new members, and initial negotiations for settlement of grievances. Cross-references Labor Union. on a major construction project in Hollywood. ``I'm the peacemaker,'' said Ramos, who spent seven years in the California Youth Authority for assault with a deadly weapon Assault with a Deadly Weapon is the term used to describe the act of threatening to harm one or more people by using a weapon (usually a firearm). Here, assault must be differentiated from battery as they are often confused. Assault is threatening to use force. . Beth Barrett, (818) 713-3731 beth.barrett(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO The Laborers Training School will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Saturday at 1385 W. Sierra Madre Sierra Madre, city, United States Sierra Madre (sēĕr`ə mä`drā), residential city (1990 pop. 10,762), Los Angeles co., S Calif., at the foot of Mt. Wilson; inc. 1907. There is some light manufacturing. , Azusa. CAPTION(S): box Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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