Splash of LA & the Splash Training Program: Practical experience for jobs in arts and entertainment!

Students in Kid City's Splash Training Program gain hands-on experience as they plan and produce a four-hour community arts festival! During the six-week program students work in committees to manage publicity, procure & produce four hours of live performances and interactive activities, coordinate a community resource fair, and organize delicious refreshments for a one-day festival for their families, friends, and neighbors: Splash of LA. Committees are designed to parallel job tracks in arts & entertainment, and every year, the Splash of LA student leaders inspire us with their talent, creativity, and drive! 

Visit the Splash Training Program Page for more information!

Unique opportunities: The Breezeway

In 2022, high school and college students enrolled in LATTC's Architecture and Build program to design the "Breezeway"— a new outdoor program space for youth in downtown LA! Students worked closely with Professor Marcela Oliva to landscape, design custom furniture, and a central plaza. Construction will be finished in spring 2023, and we hope you come by to take a look! Other opportunities like this are always in the works!

Check out the Breezeway blog with updates on the project! 

Annual Career Day

All Kid City high school and college students, and their friends -- are invited to participate! Activities in the past have included:

• Career Exploration Fair: networks and information interviews with over 40 professionals working in fields including education, medicine, law, communications, engineering, tech, and more.
• Resume reviews
• Mock-interviews
• Networking workshops, followed by speed networking with professionals
• On-site portrait photographers to take a professional shot for your LinkedIn profile!

Internships for College Students

Kid City works closely with JVS SoCal, Holman CDC, the County of LA, and other partners to provide over 30 paid internships each year. Interns gain experience in curriculum planning, workshop facilitation, communications, business administration and reception, event management, and more. Interns provide Kid City staff with invaluable support. Most interns earn at least $2000 and get that all-important first job for their resume!

Local & Institutional Advocacy

Kid City students have become known for their willingness to speak up on behalf of students like themselves, their families, and communities. Partners call on us with opportunities -- asking questions at candidate forums, providing testimony for budget committees, etc. Students who have gone through one of our advocacy trainings, or participated in prior advocacy events, are invited to join our rapid response team. 

Kid City students and alumni learn to speak on issues of equity in education, accessibility to the arts, and other topics important to them. They provide testimony in legislative visits and institutional hearings on issues concerning first generation and low-income students: college access and affordability, K-16 education, financial aid, access to arts, etc. Training is provided several times each year, helping students gain advocacy skills - empowering them to be strong advocates for themselves and their communities.

We are proud to collaborate with partners at College for All Coalition, Education Trust West, Southern California College Access Network (SoCal CAN), the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), and the Campaign for College Opportunity.

Screenshot from a successful meeting with US Senator Alex Padilla's Office (CA). Kid City alumni joined SoCal CAN, Parternship for LA Schools, and the NorCal College Promise Coalition to advocate for a #DoublePell!