Youth Employment Program reports increased participation, 72 slots for 2025–26

The council received an update July 23 on the Youth Employment Program (YEP), which provides paid work experience, training and supportive services to Hawaiian Gardens residents aged 14–24. Christina Torrison, the city’s YEP coordinator, said the city received 72 slots this fiscal year across funding streams (up from 65 last year) and had 95 applications at program start, with roughly 30 enrolled and eight already working at partner worksites. Torrison told council that YEP participants receive up to 160 hours of paid work experience and personal-enrichment training. Hourly pay recently increased from $17.28 to $17.87. She reported total wages earned industry-wide this year of $159,599.70 and total participant hours of 8,505; she said the average cost per participant rose to about $2,500. Torrison listed new worksites the city added in response to a worksite shortage, including Bears and Roses, Claire’s at Cerritos Mall, Kids Town, Metroflex and Straight Up Tacos; she said some participants have been hired by their worksites (examples: Dami Dental and Straight Up Tacos). Council members applauded the coordinator’s outreach and discussed program refinements. A council member suggested creating a city-run training/employer site (for example, a Junior Lifeguard program) to provide skill certification while paying participants; Torrison advised that the current YEP rules prohibit work near bodies of water, so lifeguard roles would not be permitted under this program. Torrison said the program accepts applications year-round, operates on a first-come, first-served basis from the waiting list (with certain priorities such as foster youth and direct referrals from the county provider), and that training certificates remain valid for 12 months. Staff said supportive services such as bus passes are available to help participants reach worksites. The presentation included testimony from a returning participant, Marco, who described gaining networking and teamwork skills. Council members asked staff to continue recruitment of worksites and explore partnerships with nearby providers such as Hawkeye and the cities of Artesia and Long Beach to expand opportunities.