December 2, 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA—At a press conference today, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC), and local leaders celebrated a transformative $20 million federal investment from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This funding through the Biden-Harris Administration’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act will power the “South LA All In-Good Jobs, Healthy Communities” (SLAAI-GJHC) Initiative, an ambitious initiative to tackle environmental health disparities and create sustainable job opportunities in South Los Angeles.
The SLAAI-GJHC Initiative will focus on clean energy career pathways in electric vehicle (EV) maintenance, welding, weatherization, and lead abatement, helping reduce pollution and greenhouse gases through jobs with household-sustaining wages. In addition, the SLAAI-GHJC Initiative will do the work of removing lead from residential homes in the South LA region, aiming to improve indoor air quality and reduce lead poisoning in residential homes. Throughout the initiative, training participants will receive comprehensive support, including connections to employer partners, to secure jobs in the clean energy sector.
To ensure deep community involvement, SLAAI-GJHC will dedicate outreach efforts to raise awareness and recruit residents for job training and pollution reduction programs. A key feature of the initiative is the establishment of a “Climate Justice Workforce Collaborative,” which will bring together South LA residents, training providers, employers, public agencies, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to expand clean energy sector opportunities. Through this integrated approach, the SLAAI-GJHC Initiative positions South LA as a national model for community-driven solutions that foster economic growth and environmental resilience.
“This investment is a powerful acknowledgment of the resilience, vision, and unwavering spirit of South Los Angeles residents and our coalition of dedicated community partners,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of CRCD. “Together, by tackling environmental injustices and opening doors to quality, sustainable jobs, we’re building more than just economic opportunities—we’re strengthening the very foundation of our community. This initiative ensures that South LA families thrive today and are empowered with equitable pathways for future generations.”
“As an anchor institution in South LA, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College is committed to breaking down barriers to education and workforce development,” said Dr. Alfred McQuarters, President of LATTC. “Through this partnership, we provide hands-on training that empowers participants with transformative skills and career opportunities. This collaboration is not just about individual success; it’s about uplifting entire families and communities while fostering a sustainable future for South Los Angeles.”
“This generous grant will provide our region with the resources to foster innovation, sustainability, and hands-on learning in clean energy career paths. This funding will equip our students with the skills and experiences necessary to tackle the pressing environmental challenges of our time,” said LACCD Interim Chancellor Alberto J. Romàn. “We look forward to collaborating with the CRCD and other partners to create meaningful opportunities for our students and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”
“More jobs and opportunities that will make our communities healthier are coming to Los Angeles thanks to this historic federal investment in our workforce,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “The Coalition for Responsible Community Development and LA Trade Tech have helped many Angelenos prepare for good-paying jobs that serve community needs, and I am looking forward to seeing the positive impacts that this initiative will bring. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration for their continued partnership that is leading to positive change in L.A.”
“I’m proud to celebrate this $20 million grant for organizations doing the groundwork to advance environmental justice here in South Los Angeles,” said Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “South LA All In, led by the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, recognizes that we can rid our communities of environmental contamination while creating economic opportunity. This grant will both expand our climate workforce and fund efforts to remove lead paint from homes in South LA—a problem impacting 80% of our city’s housing but disproportionately Black and Brown communities. I look forward to hearing about the progress and the lives changed by this historic investment in communities that have too often been left behind.”
“This historic investment underscores our commitment to environmental justice and workforce equity,” said Laura Ebbert, Environmental Justice & Community Engagement Director for EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “By supporting the SLAAI-GJHC project, we at EPA are proudly lifting up critical work in South Los Angeles and standing with communities that have been too often overlooked. This initiative exemplifies how federal resources can bolster communities, protect public health, and build pathways toward a sustainable, green economy.”
Additional partners for SLAAI-GJHC include Community Coalition, the City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department, Amity Foundation, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the Los Angeles County Development Authority. Together, these organizations are committed to driving sustainable change through the “Good Jobs, Healthy Communities” initiative.