January 20, 2022

LAWT News Service

 

The Los Angeles Rams and Bank of America teamed up to provide a 24-year-old Crenshaw native with a two-month paid internship during the 2021 NFL season.

Working closely with Hire LA’s Youth and Brotherhood Crusade, the Rams and Bank of America provided Joseph Merchain with on-the-job skills training and valuable mentorship during his 100-hour working experience in the Rams Community Affairs department. 

Joseph grew up in the foster care system, spending time at more than 30 foster homes and group homes throughout greater Los Angeles during his childhood. He experienced homelessness for the first time at the age of 13 and has been battling housing insecurity ever since.

With unwavering determination, Joseph changed his statistical trajectory by joining Brother Crusade’s Youth Development Programs in 2017, which helped him secure his first job.

Joseph is currently enrolled at Pasadena City College where he is studying Political Science with career aspirations to become the President of the United States. 

Rams Studios and Bank of America produced a short film that documents Joseph’s journey along with the adversity he has overcome, and continues to overcome, throughout his young adult life. The short film, which was shared on the Rams channels, also details the hands-on professional work experience he received as a member of the Rams staff, from organizing youth football clinics to assisting with community research and events throughout Los Angeles.  

The paid internship program is the first created jointly by Bank of America and the Rams and was designed to support a young person from an under-resourced community by providing access to mentorship and workforce experience to develop critical job skills, a professional network and career pathways.

The organizations then worked with Brotherhood Crusade to identify top candidates for this unique opportunity.   

Since 2010, Bank of America has funded 20,000 jobs and paid internships for teens and young adults across the country.

Building on its commitment to youth employment, Bank of America convened a coalition of partners in sports, including NFL teams, MLB teams, Chicago Marathon, Roval 400, as well as nonprofit partners, to level the playing field by connecting young people, predominantly from communities of color, to impactful jobs, skills-building, networking, and mentorship opportunities. 

 

Category: Sports