SUN VALLEY : Students Gain Confidence, Job Skills at DWP

For 14 special education students at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School, a unique program has meant the opportunity to learn firsthand the satisfaction of a job well-done.

Students in the program are getting work experience through part-time jobs at the Department of Water and Power computer center across the street.

By sorting mail, stocking the warehouse and working with computers, they earn credit toward their diplomas and about $5 an hour.

The special education section of the Youth Service Academy--a program sponsored by the DWP, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the mayor’s office--is completing its first academic year, and teachers are calling it a rousing success.

“Before, the students felt their future was very bleak,” said Arlene Dole Jaffee, a special education teacher at Polytechnic High in Sun Valley. “Now they feel they can be participants in life after school.”

Juan L. Valdovinos, a junior, said he feels more confident about getting a job after graduation since he started working at the DWP facility. Valdovinos works as a mail room clerk, sorting mail and stuffing envelopes.

“I like my job,” said Valdovinos, who has memory problems and difficulties understanding complicated instructions.

“I like what I’m doing. It’s pretty nice having my own money and helping my parents with the bills.”

Students work four days a week, and on Friday afternoons attend a class on workplace etiquette taught by program co-coordinator Jodee Mora.

Students got plenty of support when they began their jobs. For the first few weeks, teachers acting as job coaches helped students understand their job duties.

Students continue to work under supervisors called mentors, DWP employees who have volunteered to provide needed guidance.

Participants were placed in a variety of departments and given jobs that match their abilities. Maria Castaneda, 17, who has visual learning problems and uses a wheelchair, works in the billing department, making sure that check amounts and bill amounts match.

Senior Curtis Huffey cleans and restocks the warehouse.

Senior Sangita Sohal logs new service requests into the computer.

DWP employees said they are impressed with both the quality of the students’ work as well as of their desire to do a good job.

“When they first started, their confidence was low,” said Fred Katevas, an alternate mentor who works in the warehouse. “Once they learned how to do it, their confidence just blossomed.”