The Conservation Corps of Long Beach today celebrated the acceptance of a $550,000 grant that will allow the organization to further its job training in the sustainable and environmental industries, and continue its efforts to make Long Beach a more environmentally-friendly place.  The CCLB (website here) estimates that the grant will allow it to hire at least 20 local at-risk young adults and two supervisors, as well as the installation of drought-resistant landscapes for 25 homes and weatherization services for 30 low-income homes. 

The grant is from the Walmart Foundation's Green Jobs Training Initiative.  Six such grants were presented to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which then decided where the grants would go. Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster is a member of the Conference of Mayors advisory board, and was in attendance to celebrate the new job training that the grant will support.

"These are jobs that are out there, and not only out there, but these are jobs that are in demand," Foster said.

CCLB Executive Director Mike Bassett thanked Walmart for the grant and expressed that one intern has already been placed in a solar power installation program because of the money. Bassett, entering his 18th year as executive director, also lauded the CCLB's contributions to the environment and the City's youth, and said the money will go a long way.

"I'd like to think that it's because of this great city we have that allows us to be this competetive," he said.

Bassett then brought young Sergio Venegas to the microphone, who has graduated from the CCLB training program and is now working there as he pursues his education at Long Beach City College.  A graduate of Jordan High School, Venegas heard about the program through a neighbor and applied because, "I just thought it was a beautiful thing to do."

At the microphone, Venegas spoke with humility and ambition.

"The Convservation Corps means a lot to me. It has helped make me a hard worker and made me more determined," he said. "I'm looking forward to doing more with my life and hopefully to see you all in the future."

All youth involved in the CCLB training program are required to pursue education during training. Many have not graduated from high school and are placed in programs to receive a GED. Some, like Venegas, attend exploratory schools or community colleges. 

"Education comes first," Venegas says. "Everything else is secondary."

Walmart spokesperson Kim Sentovich said she was happy to present the check to the CCLB, which she says stood out among similar programs nationwide.

We're excited to work with the Conservation Corps and Pacific Gateway Network as we continue our commitment to do better for our community and our environment," Sentovich said. "This is a longstanding program and the City is very committed to it."

Disclosure: LBPOST.com co-founder Shaun Lumachi is a Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network board member.

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