Citlali Sánchez works in groundwater development and continues her career with EMWD, where she began her internship as an administrative assistant in the work program. Valley News/Provided Photo
California Family Life Center’s Lake Elsinore Youth Opportunity Center is seeking youth interested in career guidance and training. Thanks to funding from Riverside County District 2 Supervisor Karen Spiegel’s office, two programs have been implemented to assist young people seeking rewarding career paths.
The Youth Community Corps Program is specifically designed to place young people in local government and non-profit organizations, providing paid work experience, work preparation, and training to youth ages 18 to 26 in Riverside County’s Second District. We offer training, career exploration, employment placement, and more. The nonprofit’s youth employment program provides services such as: Similar opportunities and advanced training are also available for 16-24 year olds.
“CFLC is excited to partner with Superintendent Spiegel’s Office to provide new and unique opportunities to more youth in the county,” said Zach Bell, CFLC Development Coordinator and Chaplain. “These are great ways for young people to step into the workforce and gain valuable experience.”
Before moving to Corona in 1985, Director Spiegel worked for at-risk youth and their families in Long Beach for 10 years. She believes that “education and life experience provide young people with the foundation for our values, customs and history to continue to live on in future generations.”
District 2 includes Canyon Lake, Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, and Norco, as well as unincorporated communities such as Gavilan Hills, Lake Matthews, Temescal Valley, and Woodcrest. For more information about Supervisor Spiegel, please visit https://rivcodistrict2.org.
For many years, CFLC’s Youth Opportunity Center has provided paid work experience opportunities for young people, helping them find employment or return to school.
These young people can earn certifications in Microsoft Office Suite, Work Etiquette/Basic Office Skills, Forklift Operator, HVAC, Logistics, and Construction. Career Pathways offers job search techniques, job shadowing, career planning, job skills, apprenticeships, and paid work experience. The educational components of these centers include tutoring, financial literacy, high school equivalency/credit recovery, and entrepreneurial skills training and guidance. There are also opportunities for employee preparation, mentoring, and leadership development.
Workforce Development Committee Co-Chair Jamil Dada and workforce staff recently took seven young people to Washington, D.C., where they met with elected officials and their staff to learn how to impact the youth of Riverside County. defended the issue of giving. The mentor group was comprised of youth from six youth opportunity centers in Riverside County, four of whom were from CFLC’s centers. Young people were enthusiastic about the important role YOC plays in supporting their success and development, and emphasized the importance of these resources in empowering the next generation.
Contact Lake Elsinore Center, Lake Elsinore 400 W. Graham Ave., 951-471-8415 or Rubidoux Center, 5656 Mission Blvd. Riverside, 951-683-9622.
For more information about CFLC, please visit www.cflckids.org.
