PLACENTIA : Jobs Project Books Them All Summer

This summer was shaping up to be like any other for 15-year-old twins Nancy and Gabby Marmolejo, whose only plans were to stay home and hang out with friends. But a call last month from Councilwoman Maria Moreno to the girls’ father changed their summer agenda.

Moreno was recruiting participants for a work-study program she was starting and asked if any of Marmolejo’s eight children would be interested.

“My father said we would do it,” Nancy Marmolejo said.

When she found out what the job involved--removing trash and graffiti around the city--Nancy Marmolejo said, she wasn’t excited. But after working for several weeks, and getting paid $4.25 an hour, both sisters said they preferred working to loafing.

“This is better than staying at home,” said Gabby Marmolejo, gesturing toward the graffiti she had just painted over.

For the past three summers, Moreno has tried to put together the work-study program for the youths in her city. Each time, she has had willing participants and assurance of the money to pay them from the federal Job Training Partnership Act.

The biggest problem the councilwoman faced was finding a way to drive the workers around. Without the proper driver’s license, Moreno could not use the large vehicles offered by other organizations.

What she needed was a van, and this summer Moreno found one. The community organization Hermandad, based in Anaheim, offered the use of its van for the program.

With participants, funding and transportation in place, Moreno was finally able to act on the idea she had several years ago.

“When I drove around the city I could see all this trash,” Moreno said. She also saw youths with nothing to do. Her plan was to solve both problems at once.

In addition to cleaning up the city, Moreno hopes that the program will give youths a sense of belonging to the community.

“I’m trying to plants seeds with these youths,” Moreno said. “Hopefully, when they see their friends and peers (litter and vandalize), they’ll appreciate the effort it takes to clean it up.”

Moreno volunteers her time to supervise the eight participants, who range in age from 15 to 21. In addition to working four hours a day, participants receive four hours of tutoring in math and English.

To participate, youths must agree to stay in school. Moreno has helped two participants enroll at Fullerton College and encouraged a teen-age mother to enroll in El Dorado High School’s program for teen mothers.

The workers have seen some community response, particularly from business owners in targeted areas. The owner of a hair salon gave the youths certificates for a free haircut, and Raul Davis, the owner of Tlaquepaque Restaurant, offered them a free lunch.

“I thought it was a great idea for the youths to get involved in the city,” Davis said. “I don’t see things like this too often. I was so proud of them that I invited them in for lunch.”

Davis said it is vital that businesses encourage efforts to improve the community, no matter how small the program.

“Placentia has always taken care of trash problems, but with budget cuts I can see that more might fall to the private sector,” Davis said. “It’s important to reward the kids so they encourage their friends to do the same.”

Moreno is seeking donations of trash bags for the program. Large bags may be dropped off at Old Towne Hair Saloon, 122 W. Santa Fe Ave., and International House of Pancakes at the corner of Chapman Avenue and Kraemer Boulevard.