Nonprofit Offers Welding Training To Public Housing Residents

ROLLING HILLS, CA — A Rolling Hills nonprofit is partnering with the Harbor Hills Public Housing Community to provide a free 16-week welding certification course to public housing residents.

“The kinds of jobs that require a welding certificate are good, well-paying careers, but they aren’t always easy to access,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn who represents Lomita on the Board of Supervisors said in a statement. “This is an innovative program that connects our public housing residents directly with in-demand job training.”

Re-Ignite Hope is led by former Rolling Hills Covenant Church Pastor Steve Bunyard and works to provide communities with hands-on career training, using a 51-foot mobile classroom on 18 wheels.

Harbor Hills Public Housing Community is managed by the Los Angeles County Development Authority and looks at different ways to help residents who might want to improve career options.

"We strive to go beyond providing housing, by offering opportunities to empower our residents to reach their full potential," Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director, said in a statement. "Thanks to the partnership with Re-Ignite Hope, our public housing residents can learn a new trade and make a career change, especially after the economic impact left on many families by the COVID-19 pandemic."

Bunyard and Rolling Hills Covenant Church’s local outreach team worked with Harbor Hills staff to make sure the welding school on wheels was a good fit for the residents. So far, 30 residents have expressed interest in joining the program. After an interview process, eight were chosen to join the inaugural class in the mobile unit.

“We are excited about this partnership with Harbor Hills," Steve Bunyard from Re-Ignite Hope said. "Rolling Hills Covenant Church has been providing services to the residents at Harbor Hills for decades, including food and tutoring programs. Here at Re-Ignite Hope, we wanted to continue the great work the church has been doing by using vocational training to help residents turn their lives around."

At the end of the course, the American Welding Society will test the students and provide Professional Welding Certifications to those who pass. Bunyard has also been working closely with the students to develop an employment plan for after graduation and will connect students with local companies and unions for job placement.

For more information on Harbor Hills Public Housing Community and Re-Ignite Hope Welding Program, contact Ebony Jones, Resident Services Coordinator, at 626-233-6414 or [email protected].

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