On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council will discuss the renaming of the Mayors Apprentice Program (M.A.P).
Back in 2022, the Mayors Apprenticeship Program was launched under then Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe after first announcing it at a press conference a year earlier in July 2021.
At the time, Hernandez-Thorpe stated this would be a paid program that will hire minors and young adults that are involved in illicit activities. Called the program citywide but the focus will be in the Sycamore Corridor.
“If you can show up here at 8:00 am and sell dope, you can show up to city hall, to public works, you can show up anywhere in this city to earn a living the right way. We are more than willing to train you and more than happy to provide you with the opportunities you need but you wont be doing this anymore in my city. Its not going to happen,” said Thorpe.
Thorpe said Tasha Johnson, Youth Services Network Manager for city of Antioch, will be growing this program and will accept people without barriers regardless of criminal record or obstacles.
“Let me send another message to city hall and our staff there. Stay out of Tasha Johnson’s way. We need her to get the job done and get these young people hired. I don’t care about the rules, we need them hired and I want them hired as soon as possible,” said Thorpe. “So stay out of her way.”
However, back in February, Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal expressed a desire to change the name of the program.
Currently, the program serves as to bridge critical gaps in opportunity for youth and young adults aged 18–26. M.A.P.
emerged in response to the growing need for meaningful employment, mentorship, and life-skills development pathways for young people who have been historically disconnected from traditional educational and career systems. The city has worked with Rubicon Programs to serve as the programs lead service provider.
To date, 29 participants have completed or are actively engaged in the program, with Cohort 4, consisting of 10 participants, scheduled to run from May through December 2025.
The program, originally launched through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in the amount of $625,000, has transitioned to a more sustainable funding model as federal relief dollars sunset. It is now co-funded by California Volunteers Youth Service Corps, ensuring its continued impact in the lives of Antioch’s youth. On May 20, 2024, the City was awarded a California Volunteers grant in the amount of $540,135 to support and sustain the program through December 31, 2025. Cohort 4 of the program will run from May through December 2025. The total program cost is $1,165,135, with at least 50% allocated directly to participant wages—a reflection of the City’s continued commitment to fair compensation, economic equity, and real workforce development opportunities for local youth. In addition, a new application for new funding was submitted in March 2025, and the City is currently awaiting a response.
According to the staff report, while the title “Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program” speaks to civic investment, it does not fully capture the holistic, youth-centered, and future-driven nature of the work. A rebranding process was undertaken in partnership with program staff, youth participants, and community stakeholders to select a name that better honors the grit, hope, and upward momentum of M.A.P. participants. This shift aligns with a national movement in youth services to adopt identity-affirming, aspirational language that empowers participants and challenges deficit-based narratives. Out of this process, several options emerged for City Council consideration.
Other items of Interest:
- Master Lease Agreement with Rudram LLC for the Encampment Resolution Fund Interim Housing Program: It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving a Master Lease Agreement with Rudram LLC in the amount of $1,800,000 for the Executive Inn motel property for the period of July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 for use as an interim housing program site for individuals experiencing homelessness and authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney
- Antioch Police Oversight Commission Appointment: Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal is nominating Joe Mitchell to the oversight commission. This is for the partial-term vacancy expiring November 2025.
- Cybersecurity Services Agreement: is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a three-year agreement with Arctic Wolf Networks Cybersecurity Services in the amount not to exceed $285,182.03.
If You Go:
Antioch City Council Meeting
May 13, 2025
7:00 pm
200 H St, Antioch
Full Agenda – click here
Previous
- Feb 1, 2025 – Antioch Crisis Response and Homeless Hotel Could End This Year (at this meeting, Mayor Bernal requested the name change)
- March 21, 2022 – Antioch Set to Talk Mayors Apprenticeship Program and American Rescue Plan Act Funding
