CLL provides paid on-the-job training for disadvantaged individuals. Our clients are individuals who are looking to rebuild their lives and re-enter the workforce following felony convictions or substance abuse, as well as at-risk youth and other disadvantaged individuals. Our Apprenticeship Program provides paid internships to:

• Persons transitioning from rehabilitation, homelessness, and incarceration
• Welfare recipients, former foster and at-risk youth
• Single parents
• Other disadvantaged individuals

Over 6 to 18 months, apprentices receive on-the-job training in computer skills, data entry, customer service, and administration. Internships are provided through three main avenues. First, our “Cars for Jobs” car donation program involves answering phones, completing donor files, coordinating the pickup of donated vehicles, processing the title paperwork, and entering sale invoices. Second, apprentices in your “All About You” live phone answering service provide call patching and forwarding, message taking, scheduling, and other customer services to business clients. Finally, as a certified Covered California enrollment site, welfare-to-work participants answer consumer questions, conduct outreach and education, and enroll uninsured individuals into applicable Covered CA healthcare plans.

Our apprentices learn the following skills:

Office skills

• Customer service
• Data entry
• Administration
• Organization
• Clerical work

Computer skills

• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access

Vulnerable individuals transitioning into the workforce gain valuable experience in a supportive environment with peer mentors. Much time and effort is on work ethics, appropriate behavior in the workplace and effective communication skills. Once apprentices have received sufficient training, they have the opportunity of holding various positions within the organization, including management and supervisory positions, to gain invaluable real-world experience.

Peer mentoring from supervisors, who are graduates of the apprenticeship program assist current apprentices address all areas of their lives to successfully transition into meaningful lives. We assist many in confronting legal matters, medical and family issues, and any other such personal matters that may arise. There are many factors that contribute to relapse and recidivism and when we see something that needs to be addressed with an apprentice, we do so. While we are not a drug rehabilitation program, our program continues to build on the foundation laid in treatment or other recovery and rehabilitation programs.

Additional services provided to the apprentices include:

• Management seminars
• Group outings that provide exposure to culture and entertainment in a sober environment
• Assistance in the expungement of records
• Assistance in handling other court and legal matters, including child support orders
• Budget planning
• Clothing assistance for new apprentices and those completing to new jobs

We require no skills, only a willingness to learn and a desire to become self-sufficient.