Accelerating the Future for Opportunity Youth

Youth economic advancement

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The Acceler8 program reaches two high-needs groups in Los Angeles: high school students at risk due to economic challenges, academic status, court involvement, or family situation; and opportunity youth, those ages 16-24 who are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the labor market. There are an estimated 4.6 million opportunity youth in the US, with over 170,000 in Los Angeles County. Our focus is to guide them toward positive pathways for their future. Through positive relationships with mentors and a shared enthusiasm for automobiles at a critical point in life, students develop essential skills that help them enter the labor force.
This past year, the majority of our students came from the Watts region and the San Fernando Valley. Over 91% were low-income, and 35% came from immigrant households where they and/or their parents were English learners. The Watts region is 61.6% Latinx and 37.1% African-American, with an alarming 44% of students not completing high school.

Acceler8 uses a 3-system approach:
Career Exploration – Through guided in-person tours, behind-the-scenes discussions with automotive industry professionals and celebrities, and social media outreach, we introduce youth to career opportunities by bringing students in contact with automotive industry leaders. Students are sparked to learn more through field trips to trade shows such as SEMA, and Formula Drift and NASCAR races.
Job Training – Through instructional and hands-on workshops, students build a knowledge base, skills and mechanical abilities. Classes center on STEM learning via automotive technology, from basic engineering and science around the design of engines and drive train mechanics to the intricate computers and technology that tie systems together. They train through participation in classroom activities and hands-on auto repair, study car design and development processes and practice on project cars.
Advanced courses provide the preparation needed to obtain ASE Certification in Basic Mechanics, an industry-recognized certification that leads to greater career opportunities. We also implement soft skills to help students develop communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, financial management, and interview abilities.
Workforce & Employer Partnership—We work in partnership with reputable local businesses to provide internship positions and employment opportunities that lead into successful careers after training.

Los Angeles will be a more equitable place for youth at opportunity through the assistance needed to transcend intergenerational poverty and the risks of gang and crime involvement and build skills in an important trade field. We focus on preventing criminal and law enforcement involvement by providing workforce education in conjunction with support services that include mentorship, job training, preparation for certification, enrichment activities and scholarships. We are helping to form a causal sequence of positive change, fostering economic growth and opportunity within Los Angeles. We work with communities that have been identified as underserved and underrepresented, with minimal support in youth development and job opportunities. Our successful work is transforming the lives of Los Angeles youth and helping to shape the future by decreasing income inequality and helping students find living-wage jobs.

Acceler8 has touched the lives of 1,600 youth in the last four years through our program and educational experiences. Since 2020, we have collaborated with over 15 schools and youth-serving organizations in 6 school districts to help provide automotive education to students. These collaborations allow us to engage directly with the community and gather valuable insights about our programs and a deeper understanding of students' needs. Additionally, we are growing our social media to interact with a wider audience and solicit input through polls, discussions, and live Q&A sessions. Surveys and questionnaires allow us to examine effectiveness of the classroom and teaching material being used. We observe and document the assistance students are using within our program to help build on their future goals. Through these measures, we gain a better perspective of how we can continue to improve curriculum, classroom skills and equipment to better serve our students and community.