COSTA MESA : Youth Jobs Service Raises Funds at Feast

More than $13,000 was raised from the 22nd annual Roman Feast, which was hosted last week by Youth Employment Service, a nonprofit organization that finds jobs for local young adults.

Though the pasta-and-sauce dinner did not raise as much as last year’s $15,000, the money is appreciated, said Lynne Graham, the executive director.

“It was a fine feast,” said Graham, adding that more than 250 people turned out for the event inside the Neighborhood Community Center. “People raved about the food; it was so good.”

The money, Graham said, will go toward the continued funding of the employment program, which has been in existence for 25 years in the city.

Dozens of young adults--ages 14 to 22--each day file through the nondescript, blue, one-story house on East 19th Street in hopes of finding work. Tasks offered vary from baby-sitting to yard work, typing to working in factories or warehouses.

About 1,300 young adults passed through its doors last year looking for work, and about 550 jobs were found. In addition to providing job referrals, the agency also teaches the teen-agers and young adults how to look for a job.

For more information, call (714) 642-0474.