Program helps the disadvantaged get back on track to succeed

Growing up in a shady neighborhood steered 23-year-old Michael Flores in the wrong direction. As a young father trying to provide for his daughter, he knew he had to change, but his criminal record prevented him from getting a job.

It’s a cycle that’s difficult to get out of and a story that’s heard time and again, which is why the Las Vegas Urban League’s Urban Youth Empowerment Program was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor to engage at-risk and adjudicated 18- to 24-year-olds for entry into the workforce through a three-week educational and workforce curriculum.

The agency works to empower communities and ensure equal opportunity for low-income residents.

“It’s the environment that keeps you trapped,” Flores said. “I don’t want my daughter to struggle like I did. I’m doing everything I can to become a better person, and this program really gave me hope.”

Thanks to the program, Flores was hired at Excel doing logistics for Walmart.

“Given all of the challenges facing our young people, programs like these are the solution,” said Kevin E. Hooks, president of the Las Vegas chapter. “It not only gives participants the opportunity to succeed, but it gives them the tools needed to contribute to society. Many people of color have to fight an uphill battle from birth. If they’re born poor, they’ll remain poor. This program is designed to break the cycle.”

The Las Vegas program was one of 10 national affiliates awarded with the grant.

The two-year program was funded from March 2013 to 2015 but was expanded to June 30 to offer follow-up services to participants.

Since its inception in Las Vegas, 110 participants from targeted ZIP codes in the east valley and North Las Vegas enrolled, according to program manager Tenesia Wesley.

Wesley said 87 percent of participants have found employment placement or enrolled in secondary education.

Erin Lee, 21; LaQuinthia Zeamer, 24; and Kelvin Agbor, 24, also participated in the program and finished with life-changing results.

Lee has aspirations of finishing nursing school; Zeamer hopes to start a nonprofit to help keep children and young adults from making bad decisions; and Agbor desires to go to school for his master’s degree or doctorate.

“In jail, all hope is lost because there’s no foundation,” Agbor said.

“The program taught us how to answer questions about our past and prepare for a job,” Lee said.

After successful completion, the agency works with participants to find jobs and helps them with bus passes in hope of providing them with long-term employment or education.

The courses focus on case management, restorative justice, education, internships and on-the-job training.

“We have a lot of bright young people in the program. They just needed a chance to succeed,” Hooks said. “Many grow up resenting the system and give up hope.”

Vocation skills that were offered included forklift, flagger, CPR and OSHA 10 certification.

In addition, the program offered utility assistance and child care and rental services.

The program also aims to help participants regain their communities’ trust through service-learning projects that give them the opportunity to give back and make reparations for past offenses.

“Once someone believes in you, that starts it all,” Zeamer said. “Now it feels good to give back to the community that we wronged in the past.”

As part of the program, participants received mentorship from 30 volunteers, who included members of the agency’s staff, fraternity and sorority members, law enforcement and seniors from the Dr. Martin Luther King Senior Center.

“We wanted to draw a bridge between our senior members and youths,” Wesley said. “Oftentimes, seniors are scared of the younger generations, and the youths think that seniors don’t understand their situation. The age gap helped create respect and understanding.”

Wesley said that some participants dealt with substance abuse problems, domestic violence, peer pressure and home-life issues.

“Many of these kids come with no hope and are held hostage by their backgrounds. Some kids have a fourth-grade reading level and sixth-grade education,” Wesley said. “They grow up with a mentality that they’re going to be nothing, just like their mommy or daddy. Our main goal is to remove these barriers and help them get ahead.”

Students are celebrated and encouraged to further their professional development and work in the community. Career coaches will also follow up with participants to ensure retention in employment, apprenticeships and training programs and post-secondary institutions.

“This program not only changed people and their lives; it changes communities,” Flores said.

For more information, visit lvul.org.

To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.