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Blog Entry 14 of 21 Adventures in Parenting

I am a valleynews.com staffer, wife, and mom. My husband of two years and I had our first child in February. I will write here occassionally about my adventures with baby Frank plus all the wonderful things going on in Burbank and Glendale (as well as the surrounding communities)dealing with children.

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Glendale Youth Alliance keeps kids busy

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Contributed by: angie valencia/valleynews.com on 7/31/2007

I've got to hand it to these hard working kids.

This summer 45 children will be clearing overgrown brush from public hillsides in Glendale, possibly preventing a fire from occurring all while getting first-time job experience.

The 14 to 18 year olds are employed through Glendale Youth Alliance Inc. (GYA), a city-run employment program. They will spend their summer under a scorching sun cutting grass, pulling weeds, chainsawing trees down. Most importantly, they have the opportunity to earn money, spend their time productively and learn basic job skills.

"It's a big benefit for the community and the kids," said Karine Grigoryan, program coordinator. "Not only are they (the children) in a positive environment - off the streets - but they're gaining valuable experience they'll need for the rest of their life. This is the path to a successful future."

The youth are participants in the Summer Fire Prevention/Brush Clearance Program. The GYA also places youngsters in jobs year round at local hospitals, nonprofit organizations, libraries, schools, public agencies and other businesses.

The alliance has given jobs and training to more than 4,000 teens and young adults since its inception in 1993. Annually, they serve more than 300 youth through their summer and year-round programs. They work with more than 50 local businesses and hundreds of private property owners who may need a hand moving, for example.

Daniel Gamboa, 21, has been in the program for five years. He started off working in the brush clearance program. Today, he works with the GYA placing other youth in work sites.

"I started off very young," he said, adding that when he first joined the program he was in trouble with the law.

"Every year I've grown up as a person and I've been rewarded for it," said the Glendale Community College student. "It has taught me to be responsible. I tell my kids, don't settle for less. Work hard. Make your self seen."

Aline Kaimatlian, 17, is a senior at Herbert Hoover High School. Her first job was at a health care center answering phone calls, filing patient folders, and handling other paperwork.

"They give you the best office jobs," she said. "You get the experience. You have fun with it. It is the first step to a better career for you in the future."

The work experience has inspired Kaimatlian to get her degree in business and one day open her own bakery.

And although, it's a pleasure to be able to help bright, young stars such as Gamboa and Kaimatlian, Grigoryan said, the downside is that annually they receive more applications than the youth they can serve.

"It's a great program," she said.

As a side note, thanks to the support from community organizations, the GYA will be handing out 18 scholarships, ranging from $500 to $1,000, this year to graduating seniors who participated in the program.

For more information on the non-profit organization, visit www.glendaleyouthalliance.com.

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