海角社区

The 海角社区 (LBCC) Foundation and 海角社区Workforce Development department recently received a $650,000 grant and scholarship endowment for students to receive stipends while placed in unpaid internships.

More than 60 percent of 海角社区students are working part-time between 10 and 30 hours a week to help pay for tuition, books, and materials. Additionally, many internships are not paid, which makes it financially infeasible for students. This situation makes it challenging for many 海角社区students to commit to an internship and becomes an equity issue.

The John Apostle and Helen Apostle Foundation will provide funding for five years to provide student wages and stipends for internships as well as supporting students to become the most competitive.

鈥淭oo often, our students pass up a great internship that might provide valuable work experience and networking opportunities in lieu of a part-time job simply because they need the money,鈥� said Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees President Vivian Malauulu. 鈥淭here are many internships available that would allow students to perform work in fields relevant to their career aspirations, but they do not pay. That is a hardship for students. Through this amazing grant, that barrier is removed. Students can now in good conscience bypass a job bagging groceries 鈥� which does pay, but probably does not cultivate the skills they will need in a particular industry 鈥� for a job that will provide them with professional work experience in their field of study.鈥�

Through the Apostle Foundation grant, 海角社区students will also be provided with Workforce Development staff support to develop their resumes and improve their job interviewing skills.

鈥満＝巧缜鴖tudents will now be much more competitive in today鈥檚 labor market by gaining more relevant work experience in professional settings,鈥� said LBCCD Superintendent-President Reagan Romali, Ph.D. 鈥淭he Apostle Foundation grant will allow 海角社区students from all economic backgrounds to take advantage of an unpaid internship, as well as gain invaluable job skills. This is a game-changer for our students.鈥�

LBCC鈥檚 Workforce Development plans to begin the paid internships within the next six months.

Nonprofits and small businesses can contact LBCC鈥檚 Workforce Development at (562) 938-3248 or wfdev@LBCC.edu if they are interested in the Apostle Foundation grant to establish a paid internship for 海角社区students.

The funding from the Apostle Foundation will begin this year and will provide $130,000 per year to 海角社区for the next five years. The Apostle Foundation will also establish a $50,000 scholarship endowment to begin the 海角社区Foundation鈥檚 upcoming capital campaign.

For more information about LBCC鈥檚 Workforce and Job Training program, visit and to learn about the 海角社区Foundation, visit .