“Invest in a Dropout” Event Fuels Educational Opportunities That Transform Lives of Dropouts and At-Risk Youth

Learning Works focuses on re-engaging students who have left mainstream education. It is hosting a fundraising event called “Invest in a Dropout,” which aims to raise funds to support the organization’s mission.

The event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Brault family garden. The exact location will be sent once you register to attend.

The funds raised at the event will support various initiatives offered by Learning Works. These initiatives include wellness programs, technology support, after-school programming, and the Homeboy Industries’ Youth Re-entry Center.

“Our students need more support services than a traditional school can give,” Dr. Mikala Rahn, CEO at Public Works and Learning Works Charter School, said. “They need smaller, they need more concentrated, but then they also need access to mental health, personalized counseling, help with resumes, help if they’re in a job… how are they going to finish school? And so our wraparound services really try to take the youth as a whole person and figure out what they need.”

Learning Works said it aims to expand wellness offerings to address the mental and physical health needs of its students. It also seeks support for acquiring Chromebooks, WiFi hotspots, and technical support for off-campus study.

Learning Works has also relocated its artWORKS program and aims to provide robust after-school enrichment programming targeting low-income youth in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).

“We are a school that picks up youth that have dropped out of high school, or have been expelled from PUSD, or are on probation and would be better served with us or foster care students that are pushed all over the county,” Dr. Rhan said. “These students need a more personalized and specialized school to meet their needs. And so our school tries to woo them back into public education.”

Learning Works primarily serves youth in grades 6-12 who have withdrawn from mainstream education without earning a high school diploma. Throughout its 16-year history, Learning Works has successfully graduated 1,193 students with a high school diploma.

“Invest in a Dropout” will feature a BBQ Dan, special guests, stories and live and silent auctions. Dr. Rahn said one of Learning Works’ prominent alumni, who was homeless when he started with the school, will be at the event to tell about his experience. Rahn said the alumnus now runs his own company, Coffee Cart Boys, which regularly gives back to Learning Works.

Tickets for the event are available for $150 each or $1,000 for a table of eight.

To purchase tickets, visit https://learningworks.brownpapertickets.com.

To learn more about Learning Works, visit www.publicworksinc.org/lw/.