At its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, the Duarte City Council recognized the 2026 participants of the City’s Workforce Investment Network (WIN) program for their dedication and contributions throughout the summer.

WIN is a workforce development program designed to provide youth ages 14–19 with valuable hands-on work experience, professional skills, and exposure to career opportunities. The program is offered through the Duarte Public Safety Department in partnership with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The City of Duarte proudly recognizes this year’s WIN participants for their outstanding commitment and participation:

Dennis Huang, Jessy Vergara, Michael Dandurand, Adriana Rodas, Chosen Jones, Emma (Sha) Li, Melissa Sanchez-Quintero, Manuel Ruiz-Cuevas, Justus Peoples, Angelina Cervantes, Irma Martinez, Leonel Cardona, Phillip Aguirre, Markel Samuels, Grace Brennan, Leah Martinez, Melanie Cabrera, and Benjamin Cardona.

Throughout the program, participants gained hands-on experience at a variety of worksites across Duarte and the surrounding community, including Monrovia Boys and Girls Club of Foothills, Monrovia FSP Designs, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Duarte Teen Center, Duarte Public Safety, Duarte Parks and Recreation, and Duarte Facilities and Maintenance. The WIN participants developed workplace skills, explored potential career paths, and gained valuable experience that will help prepare them for future educational and employment opportunities.

Crime Prevention Specialist Alexandra Almaguer-Negrete congratulated the participants and emphasized the lasting value of the experience, saying, “To all our WIN participants, congratulations on completing the program. You now have something valuable you can put on your resume, talk about during your future interviews, and use as a foundation for your next opportunity.”

The City of Duarte congratulates all of this year’s WIN participants and thanks them for their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the community.