LA Conservation Corps currently operates three year-round charter high school sites which serve low-income communities with epidemic high school drop out rates: East and South L.A., Central L.A. and Watts. All three schools sites receive at least four times as many applicants as the Corps can accept into the program. The Corps’ goal at these charter high school sites is to provide students (who range in age from 14 to 23), with a holistic learning experience that integrates academics with experiential learning opportunities, facilitating success for nontraditional learners. All LA Conservation Corps campuses also offer supportive case management services, including life skills and transitions classes to set college and career goals. learn more >>
Youth Population Served
Based on the 2003-2004 school year, the LA Conservation Corps student body has:
• 95% of students enrolling with severe academic credit deficiencies
• 80% of students who are dropouts from traditional schools
• 60% of students younger than 18 years of age
• 40% of students who are older than 18 years of age
• 20% of students who were expelled from traditional schools
• 20% of students who were prior youth offenders
• 12% of students who are parents or are pregnant
• 57% of students who are male and 43% who are female
• 62% of students who are Latino, 37% who are African-American and 1% who are Asian/Filipino
To enable participants – 95% of whom come from low-income households – to pursue college or advanced vocational training, the Corps provides several scholarship opportunities. Since our scholarship program began, we have helped more than 475 students earn more than $685,000 for furthering their education at institutions ranging from the local police academy to the University of Hawaii!
In 1989, LA Conservation Corps founder Mickey Kantor and his family initiated the Russell Kantor Scholarship Fund, in memory of their son. The fund awards scholarships to the Corps' participants whose goals include college, university or vocational school. Funds are contributed from generous community members interested in opening doors to higher education for young people in need. Since its inception, more than 500 donors have made it possible for the Russell Kantor Scholarship Fund to award 455 young adults and teens with more than $600,000 for advancing their education and professional development.
Fred J. Aves Vocation Education Scholarship
The Fred J. Aves Vocational Education Scholarship at CC is an opportunity for promising low-income participants to earn the assistance they need to pursue a vocational degree full-time. The Corps provides selected scholars with a range of supportive services, including: college application/financial aid process assistance, career coaching, counseling, tutoring, budget planning and job search coaching. Participants are paired with a mentor who follows-up on their progress monthly, assists them with facing any challenges and provides general encouragement during their experience as a full-time student. To date the Corps has awarded $40,000 to 10 scholars through this opportunity.
This sponsorship opportunity is made possible by the California Community Foundation. Since 1915, the California Community Foundation has been funding the future of Los Angeles. In partnership with its donors, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations and public institutions with funds for health and human services, affordable housing, early childhood education, community arts and culture and other areas of need.
National Association of Service & Conservation Corps’ Education Award Program
Thanks to the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps and Corporation for National and Community Service, LA Conservation Corps is able to offer qualified participants an education award for successfully completing their term of service. This education award can be used to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education or training, or to repay qualified student loans.
To help our young adult participants who have children commit to completing their training, LA Conservation Corps operates a safe, nurturing, full-day preschool to prepare their toddlers to successfully enter kindergarten. The whole family benefits, as the program provides a continuum of crisis and long-term social services support. This child development center in the Pico Union neighborhood is now open to all families interested in enrolling their children.
For more details see Good Beginnings, or please contact Mary Helen Vasquez at (213) 747-6254, ext. 104.
LA Conservation Corps provides safe and talent-nurturing after school clubs for preteens who need just the right balance of supervised freedom to excel. Clubs are led by young adults from the community and local educators, who serve as role models and strengthen participants’ bonds to their campus and community. For more information read about our After School Program program.
The SEA Lab also offers after school programs, for details, call Stefanie Miller at 310-318-7458 or download the information form
LA Conservation Corps offers several resources to help fellow educators teach school-aged students about a variety of environmental conservation topics, including:
• Environmental Awareness Curriculum: to obtain a printed copy of LA Conservation Corps’ award-winning environmental awareness curriculum, please contact Phil Matero at 213-362-9000, ext. 243.
• Child Development Observation/Practicum Hours: students can fulfill their observation requirements while receiving hands-on training from our staff, who are experienced trainers of our creative, environmentally-focused curriculum. We also offer trainees curriculum materials and publications. For details, please contact Mary Helen Vasquez at (213) 747-6254, ext. 104.
3-Hour Field Trip Includes:
- Hands-on and grade-specific activities that explore science from an ocean point of view.
- Guided tours that feature our touch tanks and a dazzling array of marine life.
- Exploration of the nearby beach and the amazing organisms that live there.
- For more information, please contact Maria Madrigal at 310-318-7438.
• Traveling Tidepool : If you can't come to us, we can come to you! We can bring the ocean alive for your students, in your classroom.
The Traveling Tidepool will bring:
- Live marine organisms that students can see and touch!
- High-powered microscopes to better view the ocean's smallest inhabitants.
- Fun and educational activities that highlight age-appropriate science standards.
