From Second Chances to Union Careers- Join Us March 6

December 2025 HRTP Graduation

13 New Apprentices. 13 New Futures.

In December 2025, we celebrated something powerful.

Thirteen participants graduated from the Los Angeles County High Road Training Program (HRTP). This program is one of our funded grants. It allows us to train individuals from disadvantaged communities and connect them directly to strong careers.

All 13 of our December graduates were formerly incarcerated.

They came home determined to rebuild their lives.
They came ready to work.
They came ready for a second chance.

And they earned it.

All 13 graduates were enrolled into Local 345 as apprentices.

They are now officially part of a state-approved apprenticeship program.

What This Means

Each graduate now has a total package of $38 per hour.

This includes:

  • Strong hourly pay

  • Full health insurance

  • Pension

  • Vacation fund

  • Holiday fund

  • Raises over time

  • Long-term career growth

This is not temporary work.
This is not seasonal work.

This is a structured career.

For many of our participants, this is the first time they have:

  • Full health coverage

  • A retirement plan

  • Paid vacation

  • A clear career path

After incarceration, stable employment is one of the hardest things to secure.

Through this program, they did not just find a job.

They entered a profession.

They are building infrastructure.
They are working on public projects.
They are providing for their families.

The Work Behind the Graduation

The HRTP grant allows us to:

  • Provide daily hands-on training

  • Teach landscaping, irrigation, tree planting, and construction basics

  • Train participants in job site safety

  • Build strong work habits and accountability

  • Provide real job site experience

  • Directly sponsor graduates into union apprenticeship

Participants trained with discipline.
They followed structure.
They pushed through challenges.

Completion is earned.

March 6 - 12 More Graduates

We are now preparing for our next graduation.

📅 Thursday, March 6th
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 6750 Foster Bridge Blvd, Unit D
Bell Gardens, CA 90201

This next graduating class will include 12 participants.

All 12 are also formerly incarcerated.

They are completing the same program.
They are meeting the same standards.
They will be sponsored into apprenticeship.
They will receive the same union benefits.

They will step into careers that provide stability, structure, and long-term growth.

This is not luck.

This is a system that works when training connects directly to real opportunity.

Why This Matters

When someone returning home from incarceration enters a state apprenticeship program:

  • Income becomes steady.

  • Housing becomes more secure.

  • Families feel safer.

  • Children see a new example.

  • Futures begin to shift.

Thirteen already stepped forward in December.

Twelve more are next.

You Are Invited

We invite community members, partners, supporters, and leaders to join us.

Come witness transformation.
Come meet the graduates.
Come celebrate hard work and commitment.

📍 6750 Foster Bridge Blvd, Unit D, Bell Gardens, CA 90201
📅 Thursday, March 6th
🕛 12 PM

This is what happens when opportunity is structured, funded, and connected to real careers.

And we are just getting started.

Jessie Salazar