Empowering Angelenos: A Deep Dive into Internship Programs

Los Angeles is a city of opportunity, and a multitude of internship programs play a vital role in shaping the future workforce. These programs, designed for youth and young adults, offer invaluable work experience, skills development, and pathways to career success. This article explores various internship initiatives available in Los Angeles, highlighting their unique features and the impact they have on participants and the community.

Learning for Equity: Cultivating Health and Equity Through Internships

Learning for Equity (L4E) provides programming that includes internships, facilitation support, curriculum development, technical assistance, and coaching and mentoring services. Interning with Rising Communities, a partner of L4E, offers a fulfilling experience focused on improving the health of underserved populations in the Los Angeles area. L4E monitors participant engagement and leverages its network to expand outreach.

L4E's work extends to various initiatives, including:

Los Angeles Department of Public Health Community Health Worker Training Sessions: L4E facilitated the Community Health Worker (CHW) Outreach Initiative in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. This initiative mobilized 250-500 CHWs to disseminate accurate COVID-19 and vaccination information to vulnerable populations. The initiative involved 12-18 community-based organizations focused on building a community-based response system and fostering cross-learning among peer outreach models. Nearly 500 CHWs participated, 14 partner agencies were engaged, 46 unique trainings were offered, and 84 certificates were awarded across four tracks. Trainings and materials were provided in both English and Spanish.
Los Angeles Department of Public Health Community Public Health Team Trainings: L4E develops and facilitates training sessions to support practitioners for the Community Public Health Team (CPHT) project. This project aims to innovate patient care in communities of color by bringing together community-based organizations, healthcare partners, and Department of Public Health staff. These teams conduct home visits to assess health needs and connect individuals to care, while also engaging communities in creating action plans.

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Los Angeles Department of Public Health Equity Fund: Learning for Equity facilitated two pivotal trainings for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health workforce. The first training, “Dismantling Systemic Racism in Healthcare Settings,” was developed to address the urgent need to tackle systemic racism within healthcare. This training aimed to strengthen the public health sector’s capacity to center lived experiences and share power with communities. The second training, “The Art and Science of Social Movements: A History of Progress and Regression,” focused on strategies to improve the healthcare system by dismantling systemic racism and introduced a specific model for community and social change.
NLACRC Vendorization Readiness: Learning 4 Equity facilitated a course for the North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in nonprofit vendorization. Over six comprehensive sessions, participants delved into topics such as vendorization readiness, Title 17 foundations, organizational finance, business entity compliance, and promoting diversity and equity within their organizations. Each session was self-paced, entirely virtual, and empowered participants to submit competitive vendorization applications to regional centers.
Coaching and Mentorship: With a vast MVP Bench of industry experts, Learning for Equity offers coaching and mentoring services that fit your growth needs.
Technical Assistance and Mentorship (TAMI) Program: Available to self-advocates and CBO leaders in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field, TAMI offers a range of guidance from skill building for those starting out to technical assistance and nonprofit management guidance for those with more experience.
North Los Angeles County Regional Center: Our curriculum is designed to support aspiring non-profit organizations in becoming state-approved vendors. We provide technical assistance and high-level skill-building to ensure they operate compliantly with proper documentation and financial management. Through a landscape analysis, we identified gaps in existing preparation and training programs. Our curriculum addresses these needs, helping Black and Brown-led organizations create successful applications and thrive as vendors.

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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Community Health Worker (CHW) Outreach Initiative: mobilized grassroots networks to disseminate accurate, up-to-date information on COVID-19 and vaccinations, particularly targeting those most impacted by the virus. The initiative aimed to build infrastructure for a community-based response system while fostering collaboration and cross-learning among different peer outreach models.

HIRE LA: Preparing Young Adults for the 21st Century Workforce

HIRE LA focuses on preparing young adults for the 21st Century workforce. It is designed to provide a starter job for youth ages 14-24. HIRE LA is funded by multiple sources and used to provide work experience, as well as work skills development, financial literacy, career coaching and mentoring, and career exposure.

Angeleno Corps: Service Learning and Education for Young Adults

Angeleno Corps is a 10-month program that provides 18- to 30-year-olds with the opportunity to gain work experience through service learning, pursue their education, and receive a $1,000 monthly stipend. 350 participants complete their service at a community-based organization in one of six areas: Education and Child Care; Health, Climate, and Environmental Justice; Immigration Assistance; Nutrition and Food Justice; Technology and Digital Assistance; and Housing Rights Advocacy. 50+ community-based organizations will host Corps members and provide direct work experience and supervision at their worksites. Angeleno Corps members must also be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program. Each participant receives individualized mentorship, professional development training, and wraparound services from the City’s YouthSource Centers.

Raquel, a participant in the Angeleno Corps program, gained work experience in the health field by interning with the Community Health Council. She received a $1,000 stipend and qualified for supportive services through the Angeleno Corps program for maintaining a minimum of 10 work hours, enrolled in school, and actively participating in weekly cohort meetings.

Student 2 Student Success (S2S): Career Exploration in Education and Childcare

The Student 2 Student Success (S2S) program is led by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and is designed to provide high school students with paid work experience and career exploration in the education and childcare fields. High school students in the program are paid for both training and on-the-job experience at the minimum wage. Each participant commits up to 140 hours during one school semester-20 hours focused on job skills and professional development, and up to 120 hours of hands-on service.

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LA:RISE Youth Academy: Housing, Education, and Employment for Unhoused Angelenos

The Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE) Youth Academy is a 250-hour work experience program focused on improvising housing, education, and employment outcomes for unhoused or housing-insecure Angelenos between the ages of 18-30. Through the Youth Academy, every participant will be linked to housing, education, employment, and social well-being services to move them into a future of self-sufficiency and economic mobility. One hundred and twenty-five (150) participants will have the opportunity to earn $17.27 an hour (up to $4,195 over the six-month program), via transitional employment at participating social enterprises.

L.A. City Pathways: Career Opportunities in City Government

The L.A. City Pathways program is an internship program designed to provide 50 college students with invaluable exposure to a wide range of career opportunities available in the City of Los Angeles. Participants not only earn a competitive wage of $17.27, but also have the privilege of working closely with experienced City employees who serve as their mentors. This immersive program provides students with up to 850 paid work hours to support the operations of various departments through administration, project management, community engagement, and communications. Past placements sites have included the Mayor’s Office, Economic and Workforce Development Department, Board of Public Works, Public Library, City Attorney’s Office, and Information and Technology Agency. Partners: Mayor’s Office [Lead Agency], Los Angeles Community College District, City of Los Angeles YouthSource Centers, Various L.A. City and L.A.

City Pathways for Youth: Recreation and Parks Department Careers

The City Pathways for Youth program provides 75 young people between the ages of 16-30 years old with the opportunity to learn about careers in the City of Los Angeles’ Recreation and Parks Department. Interns are placed at recreation centers and park sites across the city, working alongside recreational and maintenance professionals to create a welcoming environment for the local community. They receive hands-on training and supervision to support afterschool programs, sports/recreation programs, and other community engagement activities. Participants earn $17.27 an hour and can work up to 750 hours under a flexible, part-time schedule. The program also serves as an entryway into City employment for youth interested in public service.

L.A. River Rangers: Maintaining Public Spaces Along the Los Angeles River

L.A. River Rangers provides a 12-month, full-time work opportunity to 50 young Angelenos with an interest in cleaning, beautifying, and maintaining public areas along the Los Angeles River. Angelenos between the ages of 18-26 are eligible to participate and earn $18 an hour. Multiple work crews are assigned to conduct critical maintenance and operation services for a specific stretch of the LA River’s public spaces, in addition to facilities management and community engagement. Each participant will work alongside a supervisor to carry out various maintenance needs such as native plant care, pavement and path care, and removal of trash and other nuisances. At the conclusion of their time with the program, participants can access employment opportunities with agencies that maintain the LA River.

Clean L.A.: Community Beautification and Street Clean-Up

Clean L.A. is a 12-month, full-time employment program for 50 young adults between the ages of 18-30 to help clean and green the City of Los Angeles as a pathway to a full-time career. The program focuses on employing job-seeking Angelenos to perform community beautification and street clean-up services in areas of the city with the greatest need. Work responsibilities include, but are not limited to: weed abatement, cleaning/removing loose litter, and clearing bulky items from the public right-of-way. Participants earn a wage of $18 an hour with benefits as full-time employees.

Summer Night Lights Expansion: Safe Gathering Spaces in City Parks

The Summer Night Lights Expansion program will hire 80 young people ages 16-24 to coordinate activities at 11 City parks and recreation centers with extended hours to provide youth and families with fun gathering spaces during the summer months. The program aims to provide a safe, welcoming environment in neighborhoods impacted by gang-related violence through extended recreation programming, meals, community activities, employment opportunities, and other resources. SNL interns live within the surrounding community and work with City employees to create programming that addresses the needs and interests of local residents.

Youth & Community Harvest Program: Addressing Food Insecurity

The Youth & Community Harvest Program offers work experience and professional development to youth and young adults, ages 16 to 30, who are passionate about addressing the issue of food insecurity. This program provides a bi-weekly stipend of $480 for a maximum of 200 hours of internship service with community-based organizations that lead urban farms, community gardens, and farmers markets in under-resourced neighborhoods.

Early Childhood Education Student Advancement Program: Investing in Future Educators

The Early Childhood Education Student Advancement Program is an internship and mentorship program for students enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution majoring in the child development (or closely related) field. Two hundred (200) students between the ages of 18-30 will receive training in child behavior and psychology, communication, and problem-solving, along with one-on-one mentorship support and leadership development. Participants will be paid a wage of $17.27 per hour over a combined total average of 130 hours of paid work experience and training/mentorship. Students can also participate in the ECE Co-generational Connection Program (ECE-CCPro) that connects them with mentors using a Sesame Street-inspired curriculum.

Teen Parent Prosper Program: Support for Pregnant and Parenting Teens

The Teen Parent Prosper Program provides part-time employment to 25 pregnant or parenting teens (ages 16-19), combining work experience through the City’s YouthSource Centers and wraparound services through the City’s FamilySource Centers. Participants will receive paid work experience and enhancement services for 600 hours of job training and work experience). Participants will be paid the City minimum wage of $17.27 an hour and will be offered a variety of Youth Service Corps internships, including but not limited to customer service at the FamilySource Centers. Supportive services include child care assistance to support employment, financial literacy education, and parenting and child development workshops. The program also leverages existing city-funded programming that connects young parents to educational opportunities, such as earning a high school diploma or enrolling in college or a certificate program.

L.A. Community Composting: Sustainable Waste Management

L.A. Designed as part of SB 1383, L.A. Participants are paid $17.50 an hour and trained in compost and soil management, native plants and species, OSHA 10, CPR/first aid, and other job readiness skills. Work crews support local food banks and food suppliers to deliver edible food to households facing food insecurity, diverting thousands of pounds of food waste from landfills as a result.

Digital Ambassadors: Bridging the Digital Divide

Digital Ambassadors are HACLA resident leaders between the ages of 18-30 who support their communities in addressing the digital divide. 42 participants are paid $20.00 an hour to assist low-income and senior households with acquiring low-cost internet or digital devices and navigating online resources such as virtual learning, employment opportunities, and telehealth services. Digital Ambassadors complete a minimum of 120 hours training and 280 hours of work experience over six months, and Lead Ambassadors will have the opportunity to work part-time (500+ hours) for a full year. They are trained on community outreach and customer service before being deployed to develop group and individual engagements for HACLA residents and local small businesses. Participants are trained to provide peer mental health support through the City’s YouthSource Center system.

LA Civil Rights Department Internships and Fellowships

The LA Civil Rights Department (LA Civil Rights) offers internships and fellowships to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to conduct policy research, engage in community outreach, and help facilitate equity programming. Ideal candidates are change makers who are dedicated to uplifting Angelenos and advocating for historically marginalized communities. Legal interns support the Civil Rights Enforcement Unit and Commission on Civil Rights. Policy Fellows develop innovative approaches to visually communicate programming, data, and policy development; support the Department’s commission and advisory boards; participate in the preparation of research reports, briefs, and presentations; and other equity related work as assigned. Working hours vary depending on the Department’s operational needs and the candidates' schedule.

LA Conservation Corps: Empowering Youth Through Environmental Stewardship

The LA Conservation Corps unleashes the power of youth to make a positive impact on the community and the environment. Our programs provide mutual benefit for young adults seeking self-sufficiency, a community that needs services, and an environment that needs to be healed.

If you are between the ages of 18-26, you can join the LA Conservation Corps!

Corpsmembers earn $17.50/hour, working 5 days, 28+ hours per week with opportunities to earn more at six and 12 months in the program. They help the environment and their community by cleaning streets, planting trees, restoring habitats, and more! They also have opportunities to gain valuable credentials, including OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, Forklift, S212 Chainsaw, HAZWOPER 40, and more. Corpsmembers can earn their diploma if they need it while gaining paid job experience at the Corps. They get personalized guidance from our Corpsmember Development team to help you land a great job and qualify for financial assistance for college, trade school or a new job through the Corps’ Transition Support Fund. There are sites near you in Compton, South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, or the San Fernando Valley.

The LA Conservation Corps collaborates with businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to create a greener, more resilient Southern California. By partnering with us, you’re investing in a cleaner, greener Los Angeles and empowering the young Angelenos who are shaping its future.

The LA Conservation Corps offers a range of paid, private, mission-driven volunteer experiences and sponsorship opportunities that align with your corporate philanthropic and team-building priorities. Depending on the season and group size, activities may include:

Park Maintenance at Compton Creek Natural Park
Corpsmember Mock Interviews
Leading Skill-Building Workshops

Each spring, we celebrate our Corpsmembers and the impact of our work with an inspiring event that brings together supporters, partners, and community leaders. Sponsorship opportunities provide a meaningful way to engage and invest in the next generation of environmental leaders.

LA Conservation Corps crews have experience in a wide range of projects, including:

Concrete Cutting & Sidewalk Repair
Shelter & Trail Construction
Community Gardens & Food Waste Recovery
Flood Control & Management
Tree Planting & Maintenance
Fire Fuel Reduction & Recycling
Solar & Alternative Energy Training

CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps: A Statewide Initiative

Mayor Garcetti was joined by State and City leadership to celebrate $53.3 million in state funding for #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps program in the city.

“Through investing in our youth, we are investing in our future. In a time when everything moves at the speed of light, it is important to equip our young people with the tools necessary to succeed,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.

“#CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps will provide our youth and young adults with practical experiences, preparing them to take on the challenges of today and tomorrow.

“The #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps is a win for our young people, the City of Los Angeles and the state of California,” said Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer.

With this grant, the City of Los Angeles will fund and expand the following programs:

Clean L.A.
Edible Food Waste Recovery
L.A. Community Composting
L.A. River Rangers
Teen Parent Prosper Project
LA:RISE Youth Academy
South L.A. Non-profit Apprenticeship Program
Angeleno Corps
Early Childhood Education Student Advancement Project
City Pathways
Student to Student Success Program
Youth & Community Harvest Internship Program
Youth Hospitality Training Academy

“Amid a historic budget, I am proud to advocate for initiatives that are a reflection of our values. The #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps’s investment in Los Angeles will enable thousands of young people to find employment, gain valuable job skills, become civically engaged and give back to our communities,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo. “Young people need access to resources in an effort to thrive and succeed in a city that is becoming more and more expensive to live in. From cities and small towns across California, and particularly in Los Angeles, it is its people that make it unique and special. This program will empower an entire generation, as we all confront the widening educational and economic gap in our state. Mayor Garcetti has made youth development a priority during his tenure leading the City. Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities.

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