After L.A. wildfires, rebuilding focuses on at-risk youth

A New Path for At-Risk Youth in Los Angeles

Tevin Banks, a 21-year-old from the Watts neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles, knew his life had to change after being arrested for robbery. Now, he is on a path that could not only transform his future but also contribute to the rebuilding of Los Angeles following one of its worst natural disasters.

The city faced devastating wildfires in January, which destroyed or damaged an estimated 13,000 homes across the eastern and western flanks. While the full-scale rebuilding process has yet to begin—homeowners are still clearing debris and settling insurance claims—experts predict construction will ramp up significantly between 2026 and 2027.

In response to this growing need, a program called SOAR (Strengthening Opportunities and Resistance) is training at-risk young adults for entry-level construction jobs. The initiative aims to equip 2,000 individuals aged 18 to 24 with the skills necessary for various trades. Launched by a nonprofit group focused on supporting military veterans, SOAR began in June with a class of 20 students, offering a six-month course covering 14 different construction trades, including carpentry, masonry, and flooring.

John Wordin, founder of the SOAR program through his nonprofit Life Aid Research Institute, was inspired to create the program after meeting a veteran at a trade school. He realized the potential to direct at-risk youth into construction training, aligning with the urgent demand for labor in post-wildfire recovery efforts.

Wordin secured funding for the first class of 20 students, spending approximately $100,000. However, he estimates that $1 million is needed to train 2,000 people, and he continues to seek public and private support.

A Second Chance for Former Offenders

Many of SOAR’s participants come from challenging backgrounds. Some are high school dropouts, while others have struggled with mental health or substance abuse issues. At a recent outdoor class in central Los Angeles, all seven students had been incarcerated at some point, whether in juvenile detention or as adults. One student wore a court-ordered ankle monitor, which he kept just above his left construction boot as the group practiced using power drills.

Banks shared his story of arrest for robbery two years ago, stating that he knew immediately that his life had to change. “I tried to do something stupid, and I learned my lesson from that,” he said. “When I was sitting in the cell, I was just thinking to myself, like, I'm young, and I really see myself doing something.”

He now envisions a future in flooring, a goal that seems increasingly attainable through the training he is receiving.

Mentorship and Job Training

The SOAR program combines life skills education with job training provided by Playa Vista Job Opportunities and Business Services, a long-standing organization in central Los Angeles. Instructors like Edward Romero, 48, bring valuable experience to the classroom. Romero served 20 years in prison before being released seven years ago. Now, he is a journeyman floor layer who teaches other ex-offenders.

While not all students will complete the program, Playa Vista reports that 67% of its graduates secure construction jobs within six months of leaving the program. This success rate is encouraging for those involved in the initiative.

David Shirley, owner of Shirley Construction, has met many of the trainees and expressed willingness to hire them. He noted that workers from similar programs often become some of his most dedicated employees. “They've had a tough start. That's probably all they know in their circle—rough times growing up,” Shirley said. “So we're happy to offer them greener pastures, so they can see what can be done with some hard work and sticking by the rules and making a real future for themselves.”