ACCELER8 AUTOMOTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM: 2021 REVIEW AND 2022 EXPANSION PROGRAM
Acceler8 is a unique Automotive Education Program run by a Law Enforcement veterans to help At-Risk Kids. It’s also the Official Education Partner of the Formula DRIFT motorsports series and also Petersen Automotive Museum Workshop. These relationships have allowed Acceler8 to reach youth around the country and help to show them positive alternatives to a life of crime.
As we come to the end of a busy 2021, Acceler8 is able to look back on its considerable success and has instituted a number of new initiatives to make significant strides forward in 2022.
2021 HIGHLIGHTS
The Acceler8 team was honored to become an educational partner of both Formula DRIFT and the Petersen Automotive Museum Workshop. These outreach partnerships provided a setting for students to be exposed to a shared automotive passion, helping to build a bond with the mentors. The aim is always to provide at-risk youth an alternative to street gangs and crime, helping them to see employment opportunities in the automotive industry as well making it part of their lifestyle and hobby activities.
Through its extended outreach, Acceler8 was able to work with more than 200 students across the country. Although the team is based in Los Angeles, it traveled to a number of Formula DRIFT events during the 2021 season, partnering with local Law Enforcement groups in Atlanta, Seattle, Long Beach and Irwindale, CA. These included @promise and Automotive Training Institute in Atlanta, the Seattle Police Department PAL program, California Job Challenge Academy, Oxnard PD Explorers, Maxine Waters Job Training, and Project Hope CA.
Working with these groups, Acceler8 was able to invite students to their local Formula DRIFT round where they met the drivers, crew members, and organizers to get an insight into employment opportunities. They were also able to witness the thrilling action of a Formula DRIFT round to further spark their automotive passion.
Among the inspirational guests, students met with multiple Formula DRIFT PRO Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr, driver Matt Field, CEO Jim Liaw, and event commentator Jarod DeAnda. Other guests included Olympic medalist Dr Mark Crear and actor Joe Gatt.
Acceler8 would like to thank a number of companies that provided assitance during 2021, including Formula DRIFT, Borla Performance, Lucas Oil, Slime, DSM&T, Wilwood, Pedal Commander, Anderson Composite, Type S, ID Agency, Falken Tire, and more.
2022 PROGRAM
Everybody at Acceler8 is looking forward to continuing and expanding its partnership with Formula DRIFT, allowing them to reach more kids across the country.
Acceler8 has also embarked on its new “Mobile Class” project. Until now, students had to meet at facilities around the region that would agree to provide space to Acceler8. In these workshop environments, which have included Petersen Automotive Museum, Galpin Auto Sports, and more, the students would receive hands on training. Tasks would include exhaust installation, wheel and tire changes, interior upgrades, etc.
The Accler8 “Mobile Class” project will allow the team to take the class to the students. Through a Rally Up campaign (https://go.rallyup.com/cc652d), Acceler8 hopes to raise sufficient funds to purchase a van, which will be specially equipped to bring all the tools needed for students to learn car maintenance and modification.
Donations are gratefully received at the link above, and Acceler8 is extremely thankful to the LA5 Rotary Club, which has generously provided significant funding to kickstart the project.
“The Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5), which has been helping the Los Angeles community for more than 100 years, including Foster Children Grants, College Scholarships, and now Vocational/Trade Scholarships, is excited to partner with Acceler8 and support its Mobile Education Program,” said Paul Ekstrand, President, Rotary Club of Los Angeles, LA5.
Other programs for 2022 will see Acceler8 work with the City of Los Angeles; specifically Council Member Joe Buscaino from the 15th District to bring classes to the community. It will be aimed at youth aged 14-24. As always, the outreach is intended to help youth who might otherwise be drawn into a life of crime and gang violence. Every student enrolled in the program is possibly a life saved. This is important work.
Acceler8 is also introducing an education format devised by the Long Beach City College, which will enable Acceler8 students with become certified in Oil & Lube, Brakes & Tires via workshop classes, which will be held at spaces throughout the District and the City of Los Angeles. By providing certification, the students will have an advantage in the job market and feel more empowered to make their own life decisions.
The next step is to further build the education program, running in-depth classes to provide more instruction and tuition. These classes will be held at college campuses and other training facilities throughout the Los Angeles region.
GET INVOLVED
The Accelerate Education Group (Acceler8) is an independent non-profit organization supported by the Los Angeles Police Protective League. It is committed to providing substantive alternatives to crime and substance abuse that will change lives and help build future leaders in Los Angeles County.
In addition to recommending students to the program, we invite the Greater Los Angeles community and automotive enthusiasts to get involved with Acceler8. As a nonprofit organization, it is funded solely by donations and sponsorships from the community. All funds raised go directly to the Acceler8 program and help to provide each student a chance to enter the automotive industry by gaining the skills needed to advance their potential while being mentored by leaders within the community. Furthermore, Acceler8 welcomes qualified volunteers to join the program to impart their knowledge and life skills either mentoring the students or providing their expertise. Please visit acceler8education.org to learn more about the Acceler8 program, to enroll a student, volunteer for the program, or to donate.
ABOUT ACCELER8
Accelerate Education Group (Acceler8) is an independent non-profit organization supported by the Los Angeles Police Protective League. It is committed to providing substantive alternatives to crime and substance abuse that will change the lives and help build future leaders in Los Angeles County. It does this by providing a curriculum designed to help enhance knowledge within the automotive field, as well as mentoring, life skills, job skills and hands-on experience. Please visit acceler8education.org to learn more about the Acceler8 program, to enroll a student, volunteer for the program, or to donate.
ACCELER8 SUPPORTERS
Galpin Auto Sports (galpinautosports.com)
ID Agency (theidagency.com)
Los Angeles Protective League
PKautodesign (pkautodesign.com)
Lucas Oil (Lucasoil.com)
Borla Exhaust (borla.com)
Slime (Slime.com)
DSMT Harnessing (dsmt.com)
Formula Drift (formulad.com)
Rotary LA5 (rotaryla5.org)
Type S (typesauto.com)
MEDIA CONTACT
Charles Woodruff at Acceler8 (Cwoodruff@acceler8education.org)
Greg Emmerson at ID Agency (greg@theidagency.com)
