For years, the service rented a space from the local National Charity League chapter, a nonprofit organization with chapters throughout the nation.
But that changed in 1996, said Du Vernet, when then-board President Ron Amburgey began exploring the option of buying the building.
An agreement was drafted between the National Charity League and the youth employment service to buy the building for $200,000, pay about $550 a month in mortgage installments, and pay off the entire mortgage by 2013, Du Vernet said.
However, paying the minimum wasn’t enough to pay off the mortgage by the deadline.
The organization then began raising extra funds along with allocating an annual amount from its unrestricted general funds and setting it aside to pay off the mortgage on time.
Amburgey, who still serves on the board, said he felt relieved that the mortgage has finally been paid off — and four years ahead of the deadline.
With help from the youth employment service, Yesenia Vela was able to find her first job two years ago. Now the 19-year-old college student, who holds two part-time jobs, is working with the service to find a full-time job. Vela said she needs to concentrate on her school work, and working two jobs is very time consuming.
Stacy Ramirez is another student seeking the service’s help. Ramirez, a Costa Mesa resident, said she’s hoping to find a job where she can serve others or care for animals.
“I love working with animals, and I love helping others because it makes me feel better about myself knowing that I’m helping others,” she said.
