Mobilizing Youth Through Creative Workforce Development

Access to tech and creative industry employment

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

Youth of color in the San Fernando Valley urgently need trauma-informed services to address systemic underinvestment and the impact of the War on Drugs. Neighborhoods, including Pacoima and Canoga Park, are characterized by high levels of poverty and racial inequity, which were further exacerbated by COVID-19. According to ACS data from 2021, there are over 143,000 youth ages 16-24 in Los Angeles County who are disconnected from school or work, which represents 25,000 more than in 2019. Youth disconnection is endemic in this region with over 30% of the local population identifying as transitional-aged youth. Healing initiatives are crucial to mitigate these inequities, yet accessible creative interventions are scarce. AWOKE bridges these gaps by creating culturally responsive, community-based care systems. By leveraging support networks and compensating youth interns, AWOKE helps mitigate socioeconomic barriers and open opportunities for youth to pursue previously inaccessible careers.

The GR818ERS internship program immerses participants in AWOKE’s daily operations and provides valuable opportunities for youth ages 17-26 to gain field experience with program implementation and nonprofit management. Through staff mentorship and practical involvement, interns play integral roles in crafting marketing strategies, executing arts and athletic youth programs, and enhancing community engagement activities. AWOKE recognizes the barriers in today's job market, especially with economic downturns; and aims to cultivate culturally responsive social environments for positive youth development. To this end, AWOKE offers participation stipends to ease financial burdens for youth pursuing creative careers. This initiative supports AWOKE's flagship events further broadening the impact of the internship program by offering opportunities for youth to utilize their skills to foster youth empowerment and vibrant social networks in the community. Interns collaborate across specialized teams:
Media & Marketing Team: Develops content and strategies, creates promotional materials, manages campaigns to engage audiences and highlight program activities.
Youth Development Team: Facilitates enrichment programs for youth centering arts, athletics, and culture, curates family-friendly activities, and builds caregiver engagement.
Event Planning & Production Team: Manages logistics, talent acquisition, budgeting and vendor relations to ensure successful execution of events and projects.

AWOKE aims to create cradle-to-career pathways for youth in the San Fernando Valley to enter into the creative industry. The region has long-served as a breeding ground for Los Angeles County’s creative industry but has not received significant investment to develop the local workforce. Furthermore, underserved communities like Pacoima and Canoga Park are seeing creative industry development grow locally, yet there has been no concerted effort to ensure the positive impact of this development is equitably distributed across historically disadvantaged communities. AWOKE looks to build a strong foundation for young creatives to develop technical skills in addition to industry connections, so they can advance their creative careers and take advantage of growing opportunities in the region. Whether they enter the corporate world or employ a creative lens to community organizing, AWOKE intends to prepare young professionals to make a difference in the cultural fabric of Los Angeles County.

AWOKE utilizes a program evaluation tool developed with input from youth participants, staff, and an anti-racism expert. This tool, administered via Qualtrics, assesses impact through the P.A.S.S.I.O.N. Framework which centers justice, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion. The tool includes seven questions and a twenty-item assessment. Evaluation data, including participation rates, intern retention, and career outcomes, measure internship impact. Interviews track socioemotional wellbeing and program efficacy. Annual listening sessions center youth and caregiver voices, informing program design and success metrics. Visual narratives capture skill development and social impact qualitatively. Previous interns have been hired as art administrators and program instructors locally and have furthered their pursuits as freelance creatives. Starting in 2024, the number of interns will increase from 7 to 10 by 2025, with at least three internships being extended beyond the six-month term.