The first ever Los Angeles County Youth@Work Expo made its grand debut in the Antelope Valey today, at the Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center in Lancaster.
Over 450 youth between the ages of 14 to 24 filed into the expansive center, where scores of employers from the public, private and non-profit sectors warmly greeted them and shared information about available work opportunities.
Some of the youth arrived on buses chartered by local school districts and roamed the grounds accompanied by teachers, chaperones, and mentors. Others arrived alone, visiting the booth after booth of organizations seeking to employ young people from the Antelope Valley.
“Today is the culmination of a lot of work and an unwavering focus on connecting our Antelope Valley youth with opportunity,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “I am a proud supporter of today’s event, which was coordinated by the County’s Department of Economic Opportunity. The fact that the expo was so well attended signals that our North County youth are hungry for work and opportunities to connect. That’s what today was about: showing up for our youth, helping them become more resilient, and offering a hand up.”
The expo served free lunches to all and also included several workshops on a range of topics, including helping youth become more financially literate, career planning, and mental health and wellness. Subject matter experts from the Alliance for Children’s Rights, Los Angeles County’s Department of Mental Health were among the presenters who shared insights and practical tips with workshop attendees. Click here to view a copy of the expo’s program.