PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release - February 26, 2001

For Further Information:

JVS ANNOUNCES SCHOOL-TO-WORK INITIATIVE TO COUNSEL LOCAL TEENS ON FUTURE CAREERS

JVS plans to counsel Fairfax, Culver City students about future careers in order to stay away from gangs, drugs, and violence.

Los Angeles, Calif., (February 26, 2001) JVS, a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that helps people find work and redirect their careers, announced today that it has received a $20,000 Community Service Block Grant from the County of Los Angeles’ Community and Senior Services division. The grant will be used to institute a new program helping disadvantaged Los Angeles youth to join the workforce.

"Our high schools are filled with young people who are not reaching their potential in the work place," commented Vivian Seigel, Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS). "When students are given personal attention and counsel about entering the working world, they can learn lessons that will benefit them throughout their lives. They’ll gain self confidence that will keep them away from gangs, drugs, and violence."

The program will teach students about the job interview process as well as how to find jobs and internships. JVS’ Youth Employment Services Division will provide the job-readiness training at Culver City and Fairfax high schools.

With this grant, JVS will also partner with BridgeFocus to deliver the new and innovative ‘Goal Models Series,’ bringing corporate leaders to the classroom at local high schools. "Our new program to help disadvantaged youth, in conjunction with others offered to the public at a low cost at JVS, helps many Los Angeles high school and college students train for the right career each year," Seigel said.

"Many of the students we serve will not be attending college after graduation," commented Claudia Finkel, Vice President, Programs and Services, Jewish Vocational Service

(JVS). "Our school-to-work focus for this program will allow them to successfully transition to full-time employment after high school."

Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that helps people find work or redirect their careers, and helps businesses find qualified employees. JVS provides an array of career counseling, job search, and employer consulting services from its offices in the City of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley. Founded in 1931, JVS now serves more than 7,000 people in the greater Los Angeles area each year. For more information on JVS, visit www.jvsla.org.

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