Social Agencies to Share Closed Library

A coalition of nonprofit social service agencies will share a vacant former public library in Venice, city officials said Monday.

The agencies joined to create Venice Works when city officials called for proposals for the building on California Avenue, located in the heart of Venice’s poorest neighborhood. The group, awarded a $127,500 grant from United Way, will offer services ranging from job placement to mentoring. The structure will be renamed the Oakwood Family Youth Center.

“This animates a closed library in a poor community with job training and hope,” said Nancy Langer, development director of the Venice Community Housing Corp., one of the agencies.

The other organizations are Venice for a Positive Change, Project HEAVY West, LISTO (the Latino Resource Organization), St. Joseph Center and the Venice Arts Mecca. A panel of city officials selected the participating agencies.

“These organizations are all focused on employment for groups of people that have been traditionally excluded from traditional employment and have certain barriers,” said Rhonda Meister, executive director of the St. Joseph Center.

Representatives from each agency will set up services in the library, which is being leased for free from the city, said Niki Tennant, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter. A receptionist employed by the city will staff the office from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.

Use of the former library gives Venice Community Housing Corp. classroom space for participants in its construction training program, Langer said. The program offers former and current gang members training on the agency’s affordable housing projects, as well as an opportunity to earn a high school equivalency degree.