The BOH Bodega Vocational Skills Center is a multi-purpose operation, incorporating a market or mini store type concept, where merchandise is available for purchase by the clients as well as interested parties via online shopping and/or walk-ins. The Vocational Skills Center component will be a training / assignment area for community beautification contracts allowing BOH clients to learn / improve on required skills sets as well as provide for additional income and experience.

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The BOH Bodega Vocational Skill Center aim is to rehabilitate drug offenders and addicts by providing them with marketable skills, counselling, and support, enabling them to become productive members of society.

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The BOH Bodega Vocational Skills Center is located inside the Beacon of Hope Facility, 810 Beacon Avenue, Los Angeles Ca. 90017.

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Project Objectives:

1. To provide vocational training in various trades (e.g., street cleaning, painting, culinary arts).

2. To offer counselling and life skills training to support personal development and mental health.

3. To facilitate job placement and entrepreneurship support for trainees after course completion.

4. To reduce recidivism rates by providing a path to legal, sustainable employment.

Project Activities:

1. Facility Setup: Renovation, equipment purchase, and resource mobilization.

2. Training Programs: Curriculum development, hiring of trainers, and course implementation.

3. Counselling Services: Regular counselling sessions and peer support groups.

4. Job Placement: Partnerships with local businesses for internships and job placements.

Target Population:

• Drug offenders on parole or probation.

• Recovering addicts referred by rehabilitation centers.

• Community members affected by substance abuse.

Expected Outcomes:

• Reduced relapse rates among participants.

• Increased employment and self-employment among trainees.

• Enhanced social reintegration and community safety.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Regular assessments of trainees’ skills and progress.

• Feedback collection from participants and trainers.

• Tracking of job placement and relapse rates post-training.

Management and Revenues

• Cash Transactions will be handled by the Managing Director or appropriate designee.

• Monies generated will be used to support the center and other BOH projects as decided by the Managing Director.

Sustainability Plan: The BOH Bodega Vocational Skills Center goal is to partner with local businesses, attempt to secure ongoing funding through public and private grants, and establish a fee structure for non-targeted participants to ensure financial sustainability.

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Additional Overview

Research consistently demonstrates that vocational training is a powerful intervention for individuals with substance use disorders, particularly those with justice involvement. Our proposed vocational center will eventually offer training in high-demand fields including welding, electrical work, culinary arts, and digital skills. These programs provide multiple benefits to recovering individuals with the following:

1. Structure and purpose during the vulnerable early recovery period 

2. Development of marketable skills that increase employability 

3. Restoration of self-efficacy and professional identity 

4. Financial stability that reduces relapse triggers related to economic stress 

5. Reduction in recidivism through legitimate income opportunities Our data shows that residents who secure stable employment within six months of treatment completion maintain sobriety at rates 62% higher than those who remain unemployed. By integrating vocational training directly into our recovery program, we can significantly improve outcomes for participants while addressing workforce shortages in our community.

The co-location of vocational training within our sober living environment creates a powerful synergy that addresses multiple recovery needs simultaneously. Our comprehensive approach includes: 

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1. Phased programming that aligns skill development with recovery stages 

2. On-site employment counsellors who understand addiction recovery challenges 

3. Partnerships with local employers committed to second-chance hiring 

4. Peer mentorship from program graduates now working in targeted industries 

5. Soft skills training that addresses workplace communication and conflict resolution. This integrated model ensures that clients receive consistent support while navigating both recovery and career development challenges. The communal setting allows for accountability from peers who understand the unique challenges of maintaining sobriety while pursuing vocational goals. It is our objective that the BOH Bodega Vocational Skill Center will be a pilot program demonstrating that clients who participate in on-site skill development will be more likely to complete their recovery program and more likely to maintain employment for at least one year post-discharge.