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# Less gangs, more paychecks
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/less-gangs-more-paychecks/
- Published: 2005-04-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T06:49:07.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Pico, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

It’s time to work off gang violence in Santa Monica. And the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce is trying to get the job done by finding work for youth.

The chamber of commerce is committed to a number of efforts related to job development and employment, including an upcoming job fair for youth.

At the Job Fair, Santa Monica business owners will recruit motivated youth, ages 14-24, for summer, seasonal and permanent jobs. Participating youth need to bring a driver’s license or school ID as proof of Santa Monica residency.

The Job Fair is being coordinated for the Chamber of Commerce by the WorkSource Center in West Hollywood operated by Jewish Vocational Services. The city and local non-profit agencies are assisting with youth outreach for the Job Fair and with job preparation workshops, aimed particularly at Pico neighborhood youth.

The youth job fair will be held May 25 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Santa Monica High School Cafeteria, 601 Pico Blvd. The Earth-friendliest of Santa Monica purchases coffee from farmers that pay workers a fair wage and practice organic agriculture. Urth Caffé policies also include purchasing only natural or certified organic teas and food items, unbleached recycled paper products and printing with soy inks. Urth Caffé was strategically built on an empty lot in the less developed part of Main Street, with the aim of helping strengthen the local business economy. The business has an advanced solar system which exclusively powers their hot water heater and feeds back into the main power grid. Urth Caffé covers costs for staff that commute using public transportation. By paying above minimum wage, offering health insurance, vacation time and profit sharing, they boast an extremely low staff turnover. Urth Caffé demonstrates that implementing sustainable practices leads to a successful business.

Other businesses and organization that received environmental awards include: Bubble Beach Laundromat, Liberty Hill Foundation, Getty Images, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates LLC, Lululemon, California Recycles, and Pugh and Scarpa.

Winners will be honored at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, May 3, at the Doubletree Guest Suites located at 1707 4th Street from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to the community, pre-paid tickets are $25\. Reservations are required. Call (310) 393-9825, ext. 10 to reserve seating by Friday April 29\. May mischief at the library

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 28, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/042805.pdf?ref=smdp.com)