Baldwin Park presents certificates to 88 participants in NextGen youth workforce program

Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila and city officials presented certificates of recognition Aug. 6 to participants in the city’s NextGen youth workforce program, which provided paid summer positions to local students and recent graduates.

Council members and staff said the program gives 14- to 24-year-olds hands-on work experience and introduced participants to public-sector and partner employers. Mayor Avila said the program partnered with the Baldwin Park Unified School District and private partners, and that this year’s cohort included 88 participants.

Program leaders described the NextGen effort as a multi-agency summer workforce initiative. The city worked with the school district and employers including Kaiser Permanente; the program previously worked with Goodwill and this year was run through Managed Career Solutions, according to council remarks. Participants were placed in parks and recreation, city departments, and school-district offices, including IT.

Several youth who participated told the council the program offered practical skills and networking opportunities. “My name is Bianca Olmos, and the NextGen youth program has been more than just a job to me. The connections, friendships, and sense of community I've received have been incredible,” said Bianca Olmos, a program participant. She told the council she gained “hands on experience” and a deeper understanding of community engagement and event planning while working with the recreation department.

Another participant, Evelyn Pop, said the program gave her a first work experience and taught budgeting and collaboration. “This program gave me my first real work experience and taught me how to collaborate with others in a professional setting,” Pop said, noting she returned to the program after participating in a prior summer.

City Treasurer Joanna Valenzuela and multiple council members thanked participants and encouraged them to continue building skills and credit awareness. Council members also noted the program’s role in workforce development and in exposing young people to city operations and potential future employment with the district or city departments.

The certificates read, in part, that the Baldwin Park City Council “congratulates you for your dedication and hard work as a participant of the NextGen program” and were presented on behalf of Mayor Alejandra Avila and the council.

Council members who spoke during the presentation included Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Damian, Councilmember Andrea Estrada, Councilmember Manuel Lozano and others. City staff said they hope to continue funding the program and to expand participation in future years.