Compton YouthBuild and EQ Office Complete Building Transformation

• Initiative Revitalizes Compton Program Center and Provides Unique Career Development Opportunities for Students

EQ Office and Compton YouthBuild have launched a revitalized job training center as part of EQ’s nationwide partnership with YouthBuild USA. This center is an integral part of the Compton community, as it serves as the core of Compton YouthBuild’s operations for occupational training, leadership development, and career and college readiness.

EQ, a leader in creating inspiring workplace environments, united a team of 27 experts, including Holwick Constructors, Wolcott Architecture, CTJ Engineering Services, DFS, and Duggan & Associates, to extensively renovate the building from inside out to better inspire and reflect the exciting potential of the community members that utilize it. In addition to the opportunities the center will continue to provide going forward, the project itself included a job training and mentoring component for students to gain firsthand experience.

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“The original request from Compton YouthBuild was much smaller in scale. However, after seeing the space we realized the enormous potential of the building as a place for EQ to apply our expertise in creating spaces that inspire talent,” said Lisa Foyston, Director, Development, EQ. “We were honored to be part of this project and donate our services and time as well as leverage our network of development and construction resources. This project will serve as a long-term community resource for the City of Compton and we are proud to have been able to work side-by-side and mentor this next generation of real estate and construction professionals throughout the process.”

The Compton YouthBuild space is meant to deliver on both YouthBuild’s and EQ’s shared brand promise of supporting and inspiring talent to do their best work. It was designed with EQ’s four “Cs” in mind: concentration, collaboration, convenience and, most importantly, community — an oasis that cultivates job creation and job training within the city of Compton.

“This building is our nucleus, a central hub for our young people to learn leadership skills, earn high school diplomas, and train for careers,” said Sara Silva, Chief Financial and Operation Officer, Compton YouthBuild. “For us, this project wasn’t just about a building with four walls, but creating a place where our community members can invest in themselves and create opportunities for family sustaining occupations. We are so grateful to all our partners and our students who contributed to this project.”

“Being a part of this transformation as a student and gaining hands-on training with professionals in so many areas of construction and building management has provided me with opportunities to better my future, both professionally and personally. Without this experience, I wouldn’t be where I am today and taking the next steps as an intern with EQ,” said Maria Diaz, former YouthBuild student and now EQ engineering intern in Playa Vista, CA.

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“I was humbled to witness the positive impact first-hand during my visit to the site, where I heard directly from students and staff on how both the program and updated building were affecting their lives for the better,” said Congresswoman Nannette D. Barragán. “This newly renovated facility is an exciting investment in the future of Compton and our students, who will be able to expand their reach across our community, contribute to the development of our workforce, and discover their own leadership opportunities.”

In February 2021, EQ launched its social responsibility program, EQ Impact, aimed at regenerating urban spaces, preserving local culture, and driving humanity into the workplace. Both at the national and local levels, EQ Impact is dedicated to supporting the people and environments that underpin thriving communities by bringing workforce development, job training and placement into communities, preserving local culture and creating effective workspaces.

Through EQ’s partnership with YouthBuild USA and working directly with local YouthBuild programs across the country, EQ seeks to expand job training, mentorship and job placement to opportunity youth — young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither in school nor employed — who want a career in real estate or construction-related fields.

The grand re-opening of Compton YouthBuild will take place on October 7, 2021, where the complete transformation of this important community resource will be celebrated with a momentous ribbon-cutting event complete with tours led by the YouthBuild students and their EQ Office mentors. The Compton YouthBuild space is located at 1108 N. Oleander Ave., Compton, CA 90222.

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