(Above: Habitat LA Project Coordinator, Jazmin Mora, showing a student interested in architecture one of our building plans.)
On October 24, 2019, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) participated in Hello Future, the largest STEM conference for young people of color in the nation, presented by LA Promise Fund and hosted by YoMo Los Angeles! Habitat LA team members took part in the career fair and expo for over 5,000 mostly female middle school and high school students from across LA County.
The Habitat LA team invited students to engage by helping to build a community using LEGO® and the activity was a hit among the students. Our team enjoyed teaching students about some of Habitat LA’s STEM-related careers and how they can help build LA to address the affordable housing crisis.
Building the tiny community sparked the students’ curiosity about the process of building actual Habitat LA homes. Habitat LA Project Coordinator, Jazmin Mora, connected with the students, showing them various building plans from some of our projects. She also explained the team effort it takes from different areas of expertise, such as city departments, designers, engineers and ultimately our construction team and volunteers to complete the homes.
“I have been assisting with the design, consultant coordination and permitting plans for our construction department for the last two years,” shared Jazmin about her STEM career at Habitat LA. “It is very gratifying to know that my tiny contribution and effort will help a new family have a place they can call their home.”
Many young people expressed an interest in the field of architecture and the majority were eager to learn about the importance of affordable housing, how it plays a critical role in developing strong and stable communities, and how they could get involved. The students were introduced to Habitat LA’s Youth Programs, the opportunity to volunteer at one of our three ReStores or help us build and renovate homes.
“I think it is important to expose young girls to careers that have not been traditionally held by women. Attending this event gave Habitat LA an opportunity to highlight our STEM-focused career pathways to several thousand young girls in our service area,” commented Dinesa Thomas-Whitman, Habitat LA Director of Outreach, Advocacy, and Policy.
Habitat LA was honored to be a part of the inaugural Hello Future conference and help inspire the next generation to not only pursue a career in STEM but to help build LA and a brighter future for themselves and others.