As a producer, Israel Valderrama is always looking for fresh and new ways to entertain and educate toddlers.

Twenty HIRE LA’s Youth interns have “free reign” to write, produce, and edit television shows for Punch Television, a cable network that will be seen by millions of viewers in North America. Located in Carson, CA, Punch Television has family-oriented programming like Go Go Land, a children’s show similar to Sesame Street.

All of the interns are under deadline pressure to meet the network’s September launch date. Interns Rayneisha Ross and Israel Valderrama are accustomed to responsibility and deadlines and the impact the shows will have on the viewers.

“Angel sent from heaven.”

As a producer, Israel Valderrama is always looking for fresh and new ways to entertain and educate toddlers. He’s a kid at heart, with a positive outlook, but he has major adult responsibilities. Money Israel is earning as an intern goes toward helping his terminally ill mother pay for medical expenses and support the family. For Israel, his internship is a blessing and his mother, who is still working, an inspiration.

“I consider my mother as an angel sent from heaven. She works hard for our family and with this job I plan to give back to her so she doesn’t have to work anymore.”

One work lesson Israel has picked up this summer is how to network. “I learned the importance of meeting new people because one day they can help me in the future.”

“Love is a universal feeling.”

Rayneisha Ross is writing love-themed episodes for Punch TV’s teenage drama series, Chronicles of Life. At 18, she has a 7-month-old daughter. She draws on the nurturing experience with her child to create love stories for the teen series.

“Love is a universal feeling, whether you are a mother, father, sister, or a brother, we’ve all experienced love and it has made my writing more fulfilling,” Rayneisha says.

She’s proud of her work and grateful for the HIRE LA’s Youth Program because it helps her provide for her infant and save up to attend El Camino College. She hopes that her soap opera can inspire the viewers and show them her understanding of the power of love…love that both Rayneisha and Israel are experiencing in their lives every day.

“It’s like I’m watching my little brother,” Jessica Garcia...

“It’s like I’m watching my little brother,” Jessica Garcia, 14, smiles as something catches her attention, “Hey guys, be careful!” Two small boys freezing in mid-wrestle on the ground look up as Jessica raises her eyebrow and the two immediately unlock their clasps.  As Jessica resumes the interview, she remarks with a smile, “I want to be a probation officer.” Jessica is among twenty summer Hire L.A. interns assigned to the Salesian Boys & Girls Club.

For many of the interns, this is their first job. “It’s surprisingly fun, of course we have to keep the club clean and sometimes do office work,” 15-year-old Christi Vestao remarks while pushing two girls on the playground swings.  “But when the children begin arriving you forget all that and just have fun with them.”

Some of the interns have long-term plans for their first paycheck, like 19-year-old George Robles: “I have to save up for college. My mom helps as much as she can, but I know I have to do my part as well; I mean it’s my education.”

Youth Program Manager Vincent Guillen says, “We try to bring on as many HIRE LA participants as we can allow. The program is important to give the kids their first work experience and to generally keep them productive and off the streets in the summer.”

The youth produced Shakespeare’s As You Like It with an 80s theme, complete with neon costumes, big hair, and dance moves like “the running man.”

People make choices every day.  For youth, the choices they make play an integral role in their future.  This summer, HIRE LA’s Youth Interns had the opportunity to explore their choices through a paid internship at Shakespeare Festival Los Angeles (SFLA).

The youth produced Shakespeare’s As You Like It with an 80s theme, complete with neon costumes, big hair, and dance moves like “the running man.”  The production also reflected this year’s topic of “choices.” HIRE LA interns created three new characters to specifically reflect the theme: the journeys of Adam, a young man struggling with career options, Lovely, a woman envisioning her future family, and Rose, a senior who desires to attend a college her parents disapprove of.

Besides writing characters for the play, interns also designed sets, made costumes, choreographed fight scenes and composed music.  In particular, HIRE LA intern Shaun Reoliquio was involved in a variety of areas.  At 19, he is the epitome of the word “artist.”  His character Silvius was the lead singer and guitarist in many of the music numbers, as well as the unrequited lover of Phebe.  Shaun also worked behind the scenes as lead of the writing team and member of the sound team.  He wrote the lyrics and composed all of the musical numbers.

Shaun has spent the past two years with SFLA and plans to continue with the program.  Last year, he had a major role in A Midsummer’s Night Dream.  When not at SFLA, Shaun is enrolled at Santa Monica Community College to become a freelance graphic designer.  He also plays with The Six Shooters, a band he formed with other interns on the side.

Shakespeare Festival Los Angeles gives interns a creative outlet to influence their interests in art.  The organization has also enriched lives of teens by providing a place to develop teamwork, learn about art, and build confidence.

“It’s not about capitalism... it’s about helping the community,” says Moises Araiza, 21.

“It’s not about capitalism; it’s about helping the community,” says Moises Araiza, 21.  Moises enjoys assisting customers at Super A Foods, a family-owned grocery store.

As a HIRE LA’s Youth intern, his job consists of stocking items, straightening shelves, and bagging groceries.  Moises plans to someday open a vegetarian deli.  His ultimate goal is to help his community become healthier by providing affordable, nutritious food.

Super A Foods is giving him the opportunity to learn about the food industry and what it takes to own a business.  His supervisor Gabriel Ordonez mentioned that he would love to hire him after the summer internship is completed.

Moises is working hard to obtain his goal; he has two jobs to pay for school and to support himself. He is also taking this opportunity to save up for his future entrepreneurial plans. This intern has taken advantage of what HIRE LA offers LA youth: a chance to succeed.

Victorianna Moore wants to come back to Mar Vista Gardens when she graduates to give back to her community and help them have a brighter future.

Mar Vista Gardens is a large housing development located on the west side of Los Angeles that provides housing as well as community programs to more than 600 residents. HIRE LA’s Youth intern Victorianna Moore is employed at Mar Vista Gardens. The 15-year-old high school sophomore is also a resident of the development and is dedicated to helping her fellow neighbors.

This summer she supervised a youth camp for kids at the Mar Vista Gardens Recreational Center. Her responsibilities in the center included planning activities for the participants and organizing the office. Her favorite part of the job was interacting with kids and teaching them new skills.

Gang activity was prevalent in this housing development, but the times are changing due to recent crackdowns on criminal activity and because of people like Victorianna.  A future pediatrician and medical professor, she is on a quest to become an advocate for her community and Mar Vista Gardens and her family are her source of inspiration. While not wanting to delve into her parents’ financial struggles, she credits them for being supportive and motivating her to do well in school. Victorianna wants to come back to Mar Vista Gardens when she graduates to give back to her community and help them have a brighter future.

William Tate's hard work has taught him to value the relationships he creates at MTA.

Transportation is imperative to the City of Los Angeles. With a population of more than 3 million individuals living in the city, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has a large role in connecting people to destinations throughout LA.

Aside from providing public transportation, the MTA has partnered with the HIRE LA’s Youth Program to place 150 youth interns in jobs this summer.

William Tate is one of those interns. His internship has taught him the value of networking. The 17-year-old says, “Working here has given me a different perspective on how I present myself in front of people.”

William’s supervisor Geri Brodie praised his work and says, “He has so much to offer; I would be glad to hire him if he came back.”

William’s hard work has taught him to value the relationships he creates at MTA. He says, “I’ve learned that respect is important no matter where you go and it is something I’m taking with me.”

Heriberto Santana, 18, is a musical prodigy who’s skilled at the guitar. His guitar-playing prowess was apparent when he strummed a few Spanish flavored tunes.

In every multi-media production that involves music, movies and television, there is a staff working behind the scenes to create a successful show. For the non-profit organization, Heroes of Life, six HIRE LA interns have the opportunity of learning and contributing to the process of a television and movie production. The program gives the youth a chance to creatively express themselves by providing the technology and space for the youth to make professional media reels. Heroes of Life focuses its program towards troubled youth and individuals who were recently incarcerated. Since they were hired, some interns have had the task of assisting the artists with writing music compositions and broadcasting using multi-media technology available to the youth. Heriberto Santana, 18, is a musical prodigy who’s skilled at the guitar. His guitar-playing prowess was apparent when he strummed a few Spanish flavored tunes. Because Heriberto is so talented, Heroes of Life plans to use his music for future productions. These interns have a unique worksite that feels more like a college course in a production. Heriberto remarks, “It’s an awesome experience working here, because we get the chance to learn basic office clerk duties but we also have a lot of fun learning how to produce movies, television shows and music!”

Donnell, 16, and Donnisha Powell, 15, are working at KUSH, Inc., a community organization that provides prevention and gang intervention programs to gang members and gang-affiliated persons ...

By James A. Nelson IV

Donnell, 16, and Donnisha Powell, 15, are working at KUSH, Inc., a community organization that provides prevention and gang intervention programs to gang members and gang-affiliated persons ages between the ages of 10 to 24.  The goal of KUSH, Inc. is to enlighten participants and change their thinking so they recognize the negative impact gangs have on communities. Growing up in a gang-infested area in the Watts Housing Development, Nickerson Gardens, the Powell’s understand the importance and the impact that the organization makes on their community.

The siblings take pride in their work and explain some of their campaign projects. “We get the word out about our organization by literally going door-to-door, handing out pamphlets and explaining to our neighbors what we represent,” Donnell explains. The sister and brother plan to use their hard earned money on school uniforms and helping out with family bills.

Emilio Leon, 20, is their mentor. He spent four years involved in a gang and now he’s out;

Emilio Leon, 20, is their mentor. He spent four years involved in a gang and now he’s out; “I just got tired of it and searched for help to get out.” He turned to KUSH, Inc. for that support. Emilio has been in with the organization as a counselor for the past two years, “I’ve found my calling, I want to help others who were in my situation and show them that there’s a way out. I want to have a positive impact on the community.”

KUSH, Inc., which has been around for 20 years, has been an impact to the youth and their communities. Similar to Emilio, Donnell and Donnisha want to come back to this program next year. Donnell says, “I’ve learned a lot from working here, I’m getting experience that I wouldn’t have received if I wasn’t in this program.”

HIRE LA’s Youth intern Yessica Huarez is working at the Office of Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes this summer.

HIRE LA’s Youth intern Yessica Huarez is working at the Office of Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes this summer. He represents the 39^th District. And the area encompasses parts of the San Fernando Valley, including Lake View Terrace, North Hollywood, Pacoima and Panorama City.

Yessica assists in the office with data entry, filing news articles pertinent to the community, and planning community events.  She loves her job because it’s a learning experience and she enjoys helping constituents. Her favorite part of work is when she attends events, like community clean-ups and National Night Out, where she can interact with residents.

Yessica is the first in her family to go to college.  That milestone was almost threatened until her first HIRE LA’s Youth paycheck arrived; with it she was able to secure her dorm deposit, thus making it possible for her to start college at UCLA.  After she completes her studies, Yessica plans to earn an MBA and start a business, a business that will enable here to give back to the community.