WELDING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM SPARKS HOPE FOR COUNTY PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS

Hands-On Training Through Free 16-Week Welding Certification Course

Lomita, CA, May 19, 2021 – Staff at the Harbor Hills Public Housing Community, managed by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), partnered with Re-Ignite Hope, a local non-profit, to provide a free 16-week welding certification course to public housing residents.

“The kinds of jobs that require a welding certificate are good, well-paying careers, but they aren’t always easy to access,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn who represents Lomita on the Board of Supervisors. “This is an innovative program that connects our public housing residents directly with in-demand job training.”

Led by former Rolling Hills Covenant Church Pastor Steve Bunyard, Re-Ignite Hope provides communities with hands-on career training, using a 51-foot mobile classroom on 18 wheels.

Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director, said, “We strive to go beyond providing housing, by offering opportunities to empower our residents to reach their full potential. Thanks to the partnership with Re-Ignite Hope, our public housing residents can learn a new trade and make a career change, especially after the economic impact left on many families by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Bunyard and Rolling Hills Covenant Church’s local outreach team worked with Harbor Hills staff to ensure the welding school on wheels was a good fit for the residents. Thirty residents expressed interest in joining the program, and after an interview process, eight were chosen to join the inaugural class in the mobile unit.

Steve Bunyard from Re-Ignite Hope said, “We are excited about this partnership with Harbor Hills. Rolling Hills Covenant Church has been providing services to the residents at Harbor Hills for decades, including food and tutoring programs. Here at Re-Ignite Hope, we wanted to continue the great work the church has been doing by using vocational training to help residents turn their lives around.”

At the end of the course, the American Welding Society will test the students and provide Professional Welding Certifications to those who pass.  Bunyard has also been working closely with the students to develop an employment plan for after graduation and will connect students with local companies and unions for job placement.

For more information on Harbor Hills Public Housing Community and Re-Ignite Hope Welding Program, please contact Ebony Jones, Resident Services Coordinator, at (626) 233-6414 or [email protected].  All media may contact Elisa Vásquez, LACDA Public Information Officer, at (626) 586-1762.