The city of Lompoc is preparing for the grand opening of its first youth center.
Organizers say the center was made possible by a grant from a youth career services program.
The youth center will open at the goodwill center on Feb. 12.
School youth from ages 14-21 and out of school youth from ages 16-24 can apply for the program.
Services include financial literacy once a month, a job readiness program for resumes and how to prepare for interviews.
Organizers say the youth center will be able to work with 40-50 participants at a time.
"Essentially it's to get them to work, but if they can't find a job, our other objective is to get them into school," says Goodwill workforce services supervisor, Osvaldo Sotelo, "Some of those youth might not have the right mentorship. In other words some of the youth coming in say 'I don't know what to do. How can I get guidance,' and our job is to guide them."
Youth centers are also expected to open in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara.
