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Below is our recent interview with Adriana Chaparro, Program Manager at Kollab Youth:
Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to your company?
A: Kollab Youth is a non-profit organization that was created for middle and high school students, ages 13 to 19 years old throughout LA County. We serve teens as north as Antelope Valley and as south as San Pedro.
Participants also have the option to receive high school credit for completing the program. Kollab Youth is also a registered pre-apprentice program with the State of California.
Our Kollab Youth workforce development program is 9 weeks, and each week provides STEAM focus in about 10+ career industries by top notch speakers. Aside from the essential, soft and technical skills learned, the youth will be provided with personal achievement training. After teens complete our program, Kollab Youth connects teens with jobs, internships, apprenticeships, scholarships, and other resources.
Q: Any highlights on your recent announcement?
A: We challenged teens in Los Angeles to create a short video about what they learned from the Water Connects Us All Summit, which was an all-day event centered around water conversation. We wanted to raise awareness around the serve drought California is currently experiencing and prompt youth to advocate and educate their communities.
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Q: Can you give us more insights into your offering?
A: Kollab Youth hosts four cohorts a year – fall, winter, spring, and summer. Our upcoming fall session will be nine weeks. The program entails virtual classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays, both beginning at 4:15pm, PDT. Also, we host at least 1 in-person field trip every cohort, so teens have an opportunity to meet in person, learn, and have fun.
Q: What can we expect from your company in next six months? What are your plans?
A: Kollab Youth is expanding its program into Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties as there is a great need to serve underrepresented youth in the Southern California with workforce and career development and empowerment. We are also partnering with several school districts, community colleges, and other nonprofit organizations to increase the number of participants in the program.
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Q: What is the best thing about your company that people might not know about?
A: There is no cost for any student ages 13-19 to participate in the Kollab Youth Workforce Development Program. Students ages 16-19 have the opportunity to be linked with a mentor, a top-tier professional in their industry, to provide them with additional soft skills, including networking, resume building, and interview skills.
