Limitless Vistas, Inc. (LVI) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established in Louisiana, post Katrina. It has as its vision to train and educate inner city youth to become stewards of their environment and to introduce real entry level career opportunities for these youth in environmental science and engineering. The greatest opportuinty coincides with the greatest need.
We realize that the infrastructure repair and environmental restoration needs are greatest in the poor communities and we feel that the most effected individuals should have a true opportunity to benefit economically from the billions of dollars that will be spent in their communities. It is unfair that after a disaster like Katrina, which exposed the tremendous lack of proper environmental infrastructure, that those in power neglected to construct in poor communities, that now the elite firms of the country will be awarded billions of dollars in contracts and the residents most impacted won’t have an opportunity for true educational and economic benefit.
Why LVI?
LVI’s environmental technician workforce training program targets youth between the ages of 17-25. The training involves a combination of classroom activities, on-the-job training, and mentorship through working with professional in the industry.
The new trainees will fill an industry need that college graduates are reluctant to fill and because they will be paid less than a typical college graduate we feel this is model that will be win-win for all stakeholders. This model can and will be applied to most industries with success. Taken to the logical and ultimate conclusion, we believe this approach will help eliminate the disparity between the disadvantage communities and the middle class.
Patrick A. Barnes, P.G. arrived at this idea in 1997 after years of performing environmental engineering services to poor communities as an EPA Technical Assistant Grant (TAG) advisor and after working for the Bank of America on several Brownfield redevelopment projects.
What Makes LVI Special?
While there are other youth environmental programs around the country, there is not one that exposes disconnected youth to the variety of environmental issues faced by Louisiana, particularly in the New Orleans area. The training provides students with exposure to the various career possibilities in different environmental fields, which include but are not limited to the following: Phase I and II assessments, compliance audits, wastewater treatment, water supply, solid waste management and recycling, hazardous waste management, and natural resource protection.
Work in both environmental assessment and facility-auditing areas rely heavily on the use of checklist and visual cues, knowledge, which is easily transferable. It is our belief that this target group lends itself well to this type of training because of the real world hands on nature of the field. The majority of sites, which require extensive assessment, include fuel stations, auto repair shops, junkyards, paint shops, and other commercial and industrial establishments. These facilities predominate in inner city areas and are often the source of dead end employment for the target individuals.
This program is truly unique because it involves end users and community stakeholders at every step along the way to help ensure that the trainees receive the needed soft skills and placement support.
LVI's Training Program
The LVI training program includes the following components, however depending on the needs of the region served by this program and the capabilities of our students, some components may be more emphasized than others.
- Week 1: Ethics in the Workplace
- Week 2-3: Engineering, Science and Technical Background
- Week 4: Federal, State and Local Environmental Rules and Regulations
- Week 5: Asbestos and Mold Inspection
- Week 6: Debris Removal Quality Assurance Monitoring
- Week 7: Construction Safety
- Week 8: Environmental Site Assessments
- Week 9: Industrial Compliance Audits
- Week 10: Environmental Field Equipment/ Use of Computers
- Week 11: OSHA 40 Hr Hazardous Material Management Training
- Week 12: Working in Teams, Practical Exams and Team Projects
Through a grant from BFA, LVI successfully completed its second cycle of training. In January 2007 a total of Fifteen (15) students enrolled in the program of which 10 students successfully completed the course work. The 10 students who successfully completed the course, six secured jobs with environmental companies, two work with the home improvement industry, and obtained a job as a laborer in the
These students all received the following certifications during their training: 30-hour OSHA construction; 40-hour hazardous waste operator; 24- hour microbial remediation; and 32- hour asbestos abatement inspection.
In the summer of 2007, LVI trained 15 students in an abbreviated session that focused on: Ethics in the work place, Field sampling, OSHA construction/hazardous waste operations, and Phase I and II assessments.
The environmental industry as a whole is a very mature and a productive direct employer at every phase of the training and education. Government entities, Fortune 500 firms, private sector firms, as well as smaller consultant firms all have a real need for entry level trainees with an environmental background.
Therefore, LVI in association with BFA has placed considerable effort in forming partnerships with environmental, petroleum, Fortune 500 and emergency response companies to ensure job placement and tenure for our graduates. LVI has developed stronger relationships with employers, businesses, schools, and counselors to address the barriers that could hinder a trainee from successfully becoming employed and/or maintaining employment.
The Environmental Technician Training Program is designed to give disconnected youth the foundation they need to work at an entry level in the broader environmental or related industry giving them “limitless” possibilities.
Board of Directors
Earl Smith - Chairman
Anthony Gabriel - Vice Chairman
Gerald Burton - Treasurer
Rona Marshall - Secretary
Contact LVI
Get in touch with Limitless Vistas, Inc. We are located at:
1215 Prytania Street, Suite 370
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 529-4301 phone (504) 529-4303 fax
www.limitlessvistas.org
Training Program Update
LVI and BFA Environmental participates in an EPA press conference announcing the award of the national Brownfields Job Training Grants
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded one of two Louisiana based Brownfields Job Training Grants to Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana (GWI) and team members Limitless Vistas, Inc. (LVI) and BFA Environmental (BFA). BFA partnered with LVI to provide the technical components of the training. BFA opened an office in
LVI partners with BFA Environmental to receive a major youth training grant.
The Greater New Orleans Youth Restoration Corps from the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps d/b/a The Corps Network has awarded Limitless Vistas, Inc. a $529,000 grant to train youth for entry level positions in the environmental industry. The Corps Network - representing Service and Conservation Corps across the nation is pleased to partner with Greater New Orleans Workforce Investment Boards and JOB1 in establishing a new multi-site youth Corps, with opportunities for young men and women to embark on pathways that lead to promising careers and productive lives while significantly investing in their communities. The Greater New Orleans Youth Restoration Corps (Youth Restoration Corps) will engage 800 young people, including formerly incarcerated and court-involved youth who will focus on environmental restoration, energy conservation and restoration of historic structures, while building community capacity to re-engage disconnected youth. Operations will start in up to eight locations in early 2008. Limitless Vistas, Inc. (LVI) is one of six non-profits selected to perform under this Corps Network initiative.