Petersen Automotive Museum welcomes Acceler8 Automotive Education program

Acceler8 - Acceler8, the Automotive Education Program run by a Law Enforcement veterans to help at-risk kids, is an Official Education Partner of the Formula DRIFT motorsports series and the Petersen Automotive Museum Workshop. These relationships have allowed Acceler8 to reach youth at home in Los Angeles and around the country to help to show them positive alternatives to a potential life of crime.

After a very busy 2022, the Acceler8 team was honored to become a Community Outreach Partner for a third year with Formula DRIFT and the Petersen Automotive Museum Workshop. These outreach partnerships provide a setting for students to be exposed to a shared automotive passion while helping to build a bond with the mentors. The aim is always to provide at-risk youth with an alternative to street gangs and crime by highlighting viable employment opportunities in the automotive industry in addition to making it part of their lifestyle and hobby activities.

Through its extended outreach, Acceler8 has worked with more than 400 students across the country. And although the team is based in Los Angeles, members have traveled to a number of Formula DRIFT events during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, partnering with 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, Maxine Waters Job Training, and Van Nuys High school.

Working with these groups, Acceler8 was able to invite students to local Formula DRIFT rounds where they met drivers, crew members, and organizers to gain 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 who met with students are people such as double Formula DRIFT PRO Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr, driver Matt Field, Formula DRIFT CEO Ryan Sage, and event commentator Jarod DeAnda. Other guests included Los Angeles Football player Eric Kendricks and West Coast Customs founder Ryan Friedlinghaus.

Acceler8 would also like to thank companies that have provided assistance, including Borla Performance, Del Webb Foundation, Formula DRIFT, Gene Haas Foundation, LARotary5, Link Engine Management, Lucas Oil, The ID Agency and Wilwood Brakes.

As part of Acceler8's third year in partnership with the world renowned Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, the Education Program will be holding classes at the Mid-Wilshire location every Tuesday and Thursday during July. The classes run from 12-4PM and are open to enrolled students.

The students will receive instruction from professionals drawn from local colleges, with the goal of providing an overview of the opportunities in the automotive industry. Many students will be drawn from youth aged 14-24 living in the Watts and South LA areas. They will participate in a summer project, working on a car from the Los Angeles Police Museum, which appeared in the Adam-12 TV show. Because the vehicle is used for local events and parades, students will be overhauling and rectifying some of its mechanical issues to ensure smooth running.

Classes are held on the third floor parking structure and are accessible to the public, so supporters are encouraged to stop by to meet the class. Everybody involved with the Acceler8 Automotive Education Program would like to thank the Petersen Museum for its continued support.

LOS ANGELES 15TH DISTRICT

Other programs for 2023 will see Acceler8 work with the City of Los Angeles to bring classes to the community, specifically with Council Member Tim McOsker from the 15th District. The classes are intended for at-risk youth aged 14-24 and, 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 potentially a life saved, so this is important work.

Acceler8 will also introduce a new education format developed for students to become certified in Oil & Lube, Brakes & Tires via dedicated workshop classes, which will be held at spaces throughout the 15th District and City of Los Angeles. By providing certification, the students will have an advantage in the job market and be more empowered to make their own life decisions.

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 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. 

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