CALIFORNIA, STATE OF (VOLUNTEERS YOUTH SERVICE CORPS)

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City of Santa Ana Youth Employment Program Funded by California Volunteers RFA#CV25-YSC04 and career pathways are clearly aligned, participants achieve higher completion rates and show increased motivation to pursue long-term career opportunities in public service. By providing meaningful paid work experiences with career exploration opportunities, the City of Santa Ana is addressing immediate community needs while developing a pipeline of skilled professionals. These experiences serve as stepping stones, guiding youth toward sustainable and fulfilling careers within their communities. The programs' comprehensive approach aligns with the City's commitment to building a strong, interconnected, and service-oriented workforce, ensuring that young people gain practical experience, professional development, and opportunities for civic engagement. The program is set to launch on April 1, 2026, and will operate throughout the year. Across all cohorts, the program will serve 101 youth through paid work experience placements, with outcomes tracked by cohort to ensure completion and skill attainment. This cohort approach has proven very effective, as defined start and end dates help youth manage their time more effectively, stay engaged, and complete the program. Youth benefit from starting with peers, taking part in coordinated workshops, and aligning their hours with the school calendar. The program's focus on valuable paid work experience, skill-building workshops, and personalized support meets both immediate community needs and Santa Ana's long-term workforce ambitions. By investing in pathways that prepare youth for careers in public service, education, and community roles, the City is nurturing a skilled, connected, and service-minded future workforce. Section 3: Youth Recruitment/Development To ensure broad and equitable access to the program, our team conducts ongoing, community-based outreach aligned with the goals of the Youth Corp initiative. We actively participate in outreach events across the region, including career fairs, Girls Inc. youth events, and additional community or city-sponsored events throughout the year. These engagements allow us to connect directly with young people, including those who are underserved or disconnected from traditional workforce pathways. Through these events, we provide information about employment opportunities, supportive services, and program enrollment. This outreach strategy is a key component of our efforts to reduce barriers, increase program visibility, and ensure that all young people have access to meaningful workforce development opportunities. Additionally, the City has established networks that will be relied upon to disseminate program information and assist in recruiting youth from the priority eligibility categories. For example, the Youth Services Provider Network through the WORK Center holds monthly meetings that bring together community-serving organizations with a youth focus and that work with foster, homeless, and justice-involved individuals. 4