By Arthur Smiley, Program Manager, Project imPACT South LA
Project imPACT South LA Wraps Up a Successful RunLocated on the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College campus, Project imPACT South LA was a partnership with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) and Arming Minorities Against Addiction and Disease (AMAAD). The program was funded by the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office.
Project imPACT South LA provided comprehensive employment services to justice-involved individuals who also had mental health and/or substance use challenges. The program offered wraparound services including housing and other supports, all in one convenient location. A total of 266 “Fellows” were enrolled in Project imPACT, of whom 158 (59%) secured full-time employment. Fellows were placed in a variety of industries such as hospitality, construction, and human services.
“A second chance creates a new opportunity“
Rufus J., Fellow, Project imPACT South LA
The program’s success was due in part to the partnership with the behavioral health and legal partners which assisted participants with their mental health and legal barriers to employment. AMAAD provided individual and group therapy sessions. LAFLA’s legal team equipped Fellows with knowledge of their legal rights pertaining to employment.
Congratulations to the small but mighty Friends Outside LA team that ran the program: Arthur Smiley (Program Manager), Rene Mendoza (Peer Navigator), and Michael Tompkins (Job Specialist).
I am especially grateful that your team not only met but exceeded the numbers, taking the resources provided and truly changing the lives of so many Angelenos. It is rare to work with partners who so deeply understand the realities on the ground, and your insight has been invaluable to our success.
Jason Garcia, Reentry Program Manager, Office of Mayor Karen Bass