PPE
In April 2020, Air founder Debra Scacco, in collaboration with LACI, created a PPE Emergency Operation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in partnership with the team at the Advanced Prototyping Center (APC), a $10M+ state-of-the-art prototyping facility where artists would normally work alongside entrepreneurs to create residency projects, and Los Angeles Public Library’s Octavia Lab, a face shield design was developed. This was approved by ER doctors at Cedar Sinai, and production began for donation to hospitals across Los Angeles County. In 13 months, the program donated over 125,000 face shields to Los Angeles County health care and employed over 200 youth in the process.
In partnership with LACI, a wide-reaching collaboration was formed with Los Angeles Public Library’s Octavia Lab, Los Angeles County’s Youth @ Work program, Goodwill of Southern California, City of Baldwin Park, Greater Los Angeles Hospital Registry, and ServPro. The response supported hospital workers across Los Angeles County and, through partnership with CD14, supported social work organizations in Downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights and El Sereno.
Through collaboration with Youth @ Work, the project employed and empowered 215 youth aged 14 - 24 in the assembly of shields. In addition to paid employment, a weekly virtual colloquial series was presented, utilizing LACI’s staff and network of partners and innovators to introduce youth to career possibilities in cleantech. This included talks, Q&A sessions with entrepreneurs and 3D printing demonstrations. Topics included the manufacturing cycle, how to become an entrepreneur and career possibilities within library services.
The generosity of a philanthropic coalition formed specifically for this project raised over $200,000 in record time. We would like to express our gratitude to: the Octavia E. Butler Estate, Metabolic Studio, Greyhound Packaging, Tieks by Gavrelli, Snap Inc, Arts District Little Tokyo Neighborhood Council and Water Power Community Credit Union for making this work possible.
126,341
Shields donated to LA County Hospitals
Hospitals include: Centinela Hospital, Community Hospital of Huntington Park, Encino, Lakewood, Mission Community, MLK, Monterey Park, Sherman Oaks, Valley Presbyterian, White Memorial, Whittier. Organizations include: Downtown Women’s Center, Para Los Niños, Union Rescue Mission, Barrio Action, US Homeless Vets
4 tons
Offcut shield material recycled to become 3D printer material.
Our manufacturing process operates in a circular fashion. All plastic off cuts are recycled and repurposed into filament, the material used to feed 3D printers.
215
Youth employed through LA Youth @ Work
The Youth @ Work program places LA County youth ages 14-24 in a paid job that leads to a long-term career pathway in high-growth, in-demand industries. In addition to paid employment assembling shields, youth have a weekly session with a professional from the LACI community sharing career opportunities in cleantech.
$400k
Paid in wages.
Over $400,000 was paid in wages to youth who assembled face shields for donation.