LA Conservation Corps Celebrates 25 Years of Service

Online, April 30, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The LA Conservation Corps (LA Corps) awarded nearly 200 scholarships to its most deserving participants at the 2011 Luncheon Celebration, held on Friday, April 29th at the Los Angeles State Historic Park.

The 2011 Luncheon Celebration marked the 25th Anniversary of the LA Corps and both past and present corpsmembers participated in the program honoring The Boeing Company, AES Redondo Beach Generating Station and Austin Beutner for their contributions to the organization and commitment to improving the future prospects of our young people.

The LA Corps provides critical education, job training and work experience for urban youth, ages 14 - 24, who in turn, perform vital conservation and environmental services throughout the community. Supporting the LA Conservation Corps yields the double benefit of protecting and preserving the environment while providing jobs and a positive future for underserved young people.

Eric Pendergraft, President of AES Redondo Beach, spoke about the decade-long partnership the Generating Station has built with the LA Corps' SEA Lab, which hosts nearly 20,000 students and visitors each year. Austin Beutner challenged the business community to provide employment opportunities for the young people who have successfully completed the LA Corps' programs and are ready to take the next step towards a successful future. Nan Bouchard, Vice President of Program Management for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, announced that The Boeing Company is granting $100,000 to the LA Corps to support its rainwater harvesting program for a second consecutive year!

Bruce Saito, Executive Director of the LA Conservation Corps, reflected on the organization's milestone anniversary, "For 25 years, the Corps has worked to transform the lives of young people and change the landscape of communities. Together we have planted more than 110,000 trees, removed 15 million square feet of graffiti from city streets, restored 2,350 acres of natural habitat and recycled over 10,000 tons of bottles and cans. We continue to be inspired by the dedication and resiliency of our young people and are extremely proud of their accomplishments. Today's luncheon gives us the opportunity to celebrate our new class of scholars and thank our supporters for sharing in these success stories."

Founder Mickey Kantor, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Ambassador, recalled the LA Corps' humble beginnings in an abandoned fire station on the edge of downtown LA and its subsequent growth into a national leader in workforce development. He thanked the Board, which raised nearly $1M at the event, for their dedication and commitment to the young people of Los Angeles.

The LA Corps' first Executive Director, Martha Diepenbrock joined current Executive Director, Bruce Saito on stage to recognize all 193 Scholarship Recipients for their accomplishments and wish them great success with their future goals.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Russell Kantor Scholarship and the LA Corps' programs. For more information about the LA Conservation Corps, please visit www.lacorps.org.

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Photos by Howard Pasamanick available upon request to [email protected].

Photo 1:
LA Conservation Corps Founder, Mickey Kantor (seated) presents Austin Beutner with the 2011 Corps Spirit Award as the Scholarship recipients prepare to take the stage.

Photo 2:
LA Conservation Corps Founder, Mickey Kantor, recalls the early days with the first Executive Director, Martha Diepenbrock and current Executive Director, Bruce Saito.

Scholars:
The LA Conservation Corps awarded 193 scholarhips to current and past corpsmembers and program participants.