>>> IT IS A SNAPSHOT OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COUNTY BUT CAN WE COUNT ON THE RESULTS?

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

VOLUNTEERS SPREAD OUT, HOWEVER KPBS REPORTER SAYS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITHOUT A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS WHO ARE LEFT OUT.

>> Reporter: SENIOR CITIZEN, KNOWS THE PAIN OF BECOMING HOMELESS.

SHE HAD BEEN LIVING OUT OF A U- HAUL VAN SINCE LAST AUGUST.

>> I HAVE AN INCOME , BUT CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE ECONOMY, I CANNOT AFFORD A PERMANENT ROOF OVER MY HEAD.

>> Reporter: SHE IS IN A TRANSITIONAL SHELTER DOWNTOWN AWAITING PERMANENT HOUSING.

SHE SAYS MANY PEOPLE RECENTLY FELL INTO HOMELESSNESS ARE LIKE HER, NOT DRUG ADDICTS NOT IMPACTED BY SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND UNABLE TO AFFORD RENT IN SAN DIEGO.

>> I KNOW THERE ARE MANY LIKE ME.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATIVE.

FROM WHERE I HAVE BEEN TO THIS, ALL OF MY BASIC NEEDS ARE MET.

>> Reporter: EARLY THURSDAY MORNING, 1600 VOLUNTEERS AT OVER 37 DEPLOYMENT SITES HELPED TO PUT A NUMBER ON SAN DIEGO'S GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION.

WHILE NUMBERS WILL TAKE MONTHS TO TALLY THE EARLY RESULTS WHICH WERE COLLECTED IN REAL TIME ON A MOBILE APP SHOWED THE ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE.

DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE, LOCAL OFFICIALS, THE NUMBERS CLIMBED BY HUNDREDS.

>> THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WE SPOKE TO SAY THEY DO WANT HELP.

THEY WANT SHELTER.

THEY WANT HOUSING.

IT IS INSPIRING TO HEAR THE DEGREE TO WHICH THEY ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE SERVICES IF WE OFFER THOSE SERVICES.

>> Reporter: SERVING C VERSUS -- SERVING SENIORS PRESIDENT SAYS IT IS A FLAWED SYSTEM AND WE DO OUR BEST TO ACCOUNT FOR EVERY PERSON THAT IS UNHOUSED ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE CURRENT STATE OF HOMELESSNESS IS THE WORST HE HAS SEEN IN HIS 30 YEARS WORKING THE FIELD.

HE SAYS LOCAL LEADERS NEED SUPPORT TO SPEED UP HOUSING PROJECTS, CONNECT RESIDENCE TO A WIDE RANGE OF SHELTER OPTIONS.

>> THESE ARE OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

THEY DID NOT MOVE HERE BECAUSE SAN DIEGO IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE HOMELESS.

THEY BECAME HOMELESS HERE BECAUSE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO THEM.

PRIMARILY ECONOMICALLY TO LEAD THEM TO THIS SPOT THEY ARE IN NOW.

>> Reporter: ON THE SAME DAY, A HOMELESS SHELTER OPENED UP IN THE CENTRAL LIBRARY DOWNTOWN.

THE SHELTER WILL OPERATE AT NIGHT AND EXCLUSIVELY SERVE WOMEN.

OFFICIAL NUMBERS FOR THIS YEAR'S COUNT WILL BE RELEASED IN THE COMING MONTHS WHICH WILL HELP DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS IN THE REGION.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> LAST YEAR'S POINT IN TIME COUNT SHOWED A LOT OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT TO COUNTY.

WHILE A LARGE ENCAMPMENT HAS BEEN IN PLACE WITH A SAFE PLACE HE IS STILL CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE CAMPED OUT ALONG DRAINAGE DITCHES AND RIVERBEDS.

>> WE SAW A LOT OF BELONGINGS BEING WASHED OUT TO THE OCEAN AND ESPECIALLY IN OUR RECENT STORMS.

WE NEED THOSE FOLKS TO HAVE AN INCREASED QUALITY OF LIFE ALONG WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.

>> FIVE YEARS AGO EAST COUNTY OFFICIALS WEREN'T AWARE OF THE HOMELESSNESS ISSUE IN THEIR AREA AND A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.

THE POINT AND TIME COUNT ALSO TOOK PLACE IN THE NORTH TODAY.

TANIA THORNE WENT OUT WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ESCONDIDO.

>> Reporter: WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT ?

IS THIS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE BEEN HOMELESS?

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HOMELESS?

THESE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS VOLUNTEERS SET OUT TO ASK PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN TODAY'S POINT AND TIME COUNT.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION, YOU GET A $10 GIFT CARD.

>> Reporter: JASMINE LEE IS ONE OF THOSE DISSIPATING.

SHE HAS BEEN HOMELESS FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS AND SAYS SHE FEELS FORCED TO LIVE IN THE ENCAMPMENT NEAR THE ESCONDIDO FREEWAY.

>> I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO AND NOW YOU HAVE AN ENCAMPMENT OUT THERE AND THEY WILL NOT LET YOU PUT YOURSELF ANYWHERE.

SO IT IS LIKE, WHERE DO YOU GO?

>> Reporter: SHE HAS NAMED THIS AREA HER HOME FOR ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS.

IT HAS BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO FIND HOUSING AND SHE SAYS I.D.s AND DOCUMENTS ARE OFTEN DISCARDED DURING THE SWEEPS.

>> YOU WANT TO GET A CAR AND , YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE AN I.D..

IT IS BACK TO BACK SETBACKS.

TRIED BY THE BIGGEST SETBACK IS THE LACK OF SHELTER BEDS FOR PEOPLE LIKE LEE.

GREG ANGELL IS THE CEO OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THE ONLY PROVIDER OF SHELTERS FOR ALL GENDERS IN NORTH COUNTY.

>> WE ARE IN A RIVERBED AREA HERE.

THE RECENT STORMS CREATED A LOT OF DAMAGE .

THERE IS ACTUALLY MORE TRASH AND MORE DEBRIS THAN THERE HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE COME HERE WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ANY WHERE ELSE TO GO.

HE EXPECTS THE NUMBERS TO BE HIGHER IN NORTH COUNTY THIS YEAR.

>> LAST YEAR WE COUNTED ABOUT 2000 INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS JUST IN NORTH COUNTY.

THERE ARE ONLY HUNDRED AND 50 SHELTER BEDS IN NORTH COUNTY.

THE AVAILABILITY OF SHELTER BEDS DOESN'T HELP WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: MORE FUNDING FOR RESOURCES AS NEEDED HE SAYS .

>> FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: INTERFACES HOPING TO OPEN A 36 BUT SHELTER IN MARCH.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>> TODAY'S HIGH WINDS CAUSED A MESS ACROSS THE COUNTY BRINGING DOWN LARGE TREES.

CITY CREWS REMOVED THE FALLEN TREES AND LIMBS FROM THE STREETS AND WALKWAYS.

ONE OF THE TREES HAD A WOMAN WHO WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO BE TREATED FOR HER INJURIES.

>>> A STORY THAT HAS CAPTURED NATIONAL ATTENTION.

THE TRANSGENDER WOMAN WHO WAS CALLED OUT BY A TEENAGER FOR USING A WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM SPOKE OUT IN HER OWN DEFENSE.

KPBS, REPORTER KITTY ALVARADO REPORTS.

>> Reporter: STANDING ROOM ONLY AT WEDNESDAY'S NIGHT CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

WORD GOT OUT THAT A TRANSGENDERED WOMAN WOULD BE SPEAKING DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER A TEENAGER TOLD THE SAME COUNSEL AND OTHER MEDIA THAT SHE WAS TERRIFIED AFTER SEEING WOOD OUTSIDE HER SHOWER AT THE YMCA LOCKER ROOM.

THE TEEN SAYS SHE FEARED FOR HER SISTER AND OTHER CHILDREN.

THAT SPARKED PROTESTS AND THE DEBATE WAS ILL HAPPENING INSIDE THE COUNCIL MEETING LAST NIGHT.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD HER TURN TO SPEAK HER TRUTH.

>> SINCE THEN, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN DISHEARTENING AND DISGUSTING.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN INCIDENT EVER.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD PLENTY OF SUPPORT AS SHE MADE HER FINAL POINT CLEAR.

>> LET'S YOU ALL AND THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: THOSE AGAINST WOULD AND PEOPLE LIKE HER MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> IF FEELINGS NOW DRIVE AND PROCEED BASIC BIOLOGY ANYTHING GOES.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO BOW DOWN TO YOUR GENDER IDEOLOGY CALLED.

YOUR FANTASYLAND.

IT DOES NOT MAKE IT REAL BECAUSE IT IS YOUR FANTASYLAND.

HERE IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TONIGHT.

YOU GUYS WERE YOU STILL HAVE YOUR [ BLEEP ], DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF NOT RENEWING THAT LEASE .

-- WOULD WAS ASKED IF SHE FELT SAFE.

>> PROBABLY NOT SO MUCH CONSIDERING I DO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY AND HAVE FOR 15 YEARS.

I AM NOT ABOUT TO LEAVE.

>> KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW ON THE MIDDAY EDITION PODCAST.

YOU CAN STREAM ANY TIME WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCAST.

>>> ON THE HEELS OF TWO MASS SHOOTINGS, CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS ARE PROPOSING A STATE BILL REQUIRING GUN OWNERS TO ENSURE THEIR FIREARMS.

STATE SENATORS FROM ENCINITAS AND BERKELEY ANNOUNCED A NEW LEGISLATURE MODELED AFTER SAN JOSE'S NEW GUN LIABILITY INSURANCE LAW.

IT WOULD REQUIRE COVERAGE FOR LOSS, NEGLIGENCE OR ACCIDENTAL USE OF FIREARMS.

>> I AM JEFF BENNETT AND TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, ISRAELI FORCES CONDUCT THE SINGLE DEADLIEST OPERATION IN TWO DECADES.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> ANOTHER CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT IS NOT WAITING FOR SENATOR FEINSTEIN TO RETIRE BEFORE ANNOUNCING HER RUN FOR HER SEAT IN CONGRESS.

HE WAS HOUSE MANAGER FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

HE HAS YET TO ANNOUNCE IF SHE WANTS TO SERVE ANOTHER TERM.

>> THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IS GOING BACK SIX ADMINISTRATIONS BACK ASKING FORMER PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENTS TO CHECK THEIR FILES FOR CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS.

THE ARCHIVES SENT A LETTER ASKING FORMER LEADERS TO CHECK THEIR FILES.

BARACK OBAMA, BILL CLINTON, GEORGE BUSH AND THE LATE GEORGE W. BUSH.

SAYING ALL CLASSIFIED RECORDS HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER IN THE ARCHIVES UPON LEAVING OFFICE.

THIS COMES AMID HEIGHTENED SECURITY FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> Reporter: A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS ARE SWIRLING AROUND WASHINGTON, D.C.

RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT WERE THE DOCUMENTS AND WHAT DO THEY CONTAIN?

WAS THERE ANY DAMAGE?

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS WANT ANSWERS.

THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION DISCOVERED IN THE POSSESSION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> THIS POSITION THAT WE ARE LEFT IN , UNTIL SOMEHOW A SPECIAL COUNSEL DESIGNATES THAT IT IS OKAY FOR US TO SEE, IT'S NOT GOING TO STAND.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THEY WILL TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> I AM PREPARED TO TAKE EVERY STEP I CAN ON EVERY COMMITTEE WHICH I SERVE TO IMPOSE CONSEQUENCES ON THE ADMINISTRATION, UNTIL THEY PROVIDE THESE DOCUMENTS.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE DIRECTLY CLASSIFIED MATERIAL DISCOVERED ARE DESCRIBED AS BRIEFING MEMOS , RESOURCES TELL CNN.

THE FBI IS WORKING ALONG INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES TO ASSESS THE DOCUMENTS.

MEANWHILE LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES ARE UPSET WITH THE OVERALL SITUATION.

>> I AM FRUSTRATED THAT IF ANYONE DOESN'T HANDLE CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET DOCUMENTS IN A MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.

>> Reporter: JOE LAWRENCE REPORTING.

>>> GENDER EQUITY IS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE THAT IS AFTER A REPORT FROM UC SAN DIEGO REVEALING WOMEN FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS HAVE ONLY HALF OF THE LAB SPACE THAT MEN HAVE.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THIS GENDER DISPARITY ALSO EXTENDS TO OFFICE AND STORAGE SPACE.

THE DISPARITY CANNOT BE EXPLAINED, THE LACK OF SPACE MEANS LESS ROOM FOR RESEARCH STAFF AND A REDUCED CHANCE TO GET GRANTS TO FUND THEIR RESEARCH.

>> BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE AS MUCH SPACE THEY CANNOT BE AS PRODUCTIVE AND PUBLISH AS MANY PAPERS OR DO THE WORK THAT ACADEMICS DO.

IF THEY CAN'T DO AS MUCH OF THAT THEN THEY ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO GET A GRANT.

>> UC SAN DIEGO CHANCELLOR HAS APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO REFORM THE SYSTEM OF ALLOCATING SPACE.

>>> THIS WAS A BETTER DAY FOR THOUSANDS OF SAN DIEGO STUDENTS APPLYING FOR COLLEGE.

AS ASHLEY HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER , M.G.

PEREZ TAKE THIS TO THE EXPO WHERE DREAMS WERE BORN TODAY.

>> WELCOME.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE THE FACES OF 11th AND 12th GRADE STUDENTS FROM CAMPUSES ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THEY ARE GIFTED AND EXPERIENCED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

THEY SHARE SO MUCH MORE.

>> IS GREAT TO BE SURROUNDED BY YOUR CULTURE.

I FEEL THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: 17-YEAR-OLD IS A SENIOR IN ESCONDIDO.

SHE IS ONE OF ALMOST 3000 STUDENTS WHO CAME TO THE SIXTH ANNUAL BLACK COLLEGE EXPO IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO.

TO BE EDUCATED ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES THAT COULD COME AFTER GRADUATION.

>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO STUDY IN COLLEGE?

>> I WANT TO STUDY RADIOLOGY AND HOPE FULLY BECOME A TRAVELING MRI TECH.

>> Reporter: TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, IN HOUSTON, AND VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG ALL AMONG THE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES , COMMONLY KNOWN AS HBCU'S.

>> REPRESENTS HIM SOME INFORMATION ABOUT WHO THEY ARE , AND WHO THEY COULD BE.

>> Reporter: ATTENDING A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CLOSE TO HOME IS ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING FOR THE STUDENTS, THAT IS BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

DREW UNIVERSITY IS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN LOS ANGELES.

>> I WILL GO ANYWHERE.

I AM NOT AFRAID OF ANY LIMITATIONS.

>> Reporter: SHE IS OPEN TO ANY UNIVERSITY THAT WILL SUPPORT HER LONG-TERM DREAM OF BECOMING A PSYCHOLOGIST.

TO HELP HER COMMUNITY.

>> I AM MIXED, AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND MEXICAN AND THERE IS NOT A LOT OF REPRESENTATION SO I WANT TO BE AROUND WHERE THERE IS MORE REPRESENTATION.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS REPRESENTATION HERE TODAY ALONG WITH SOME REAL SUCCESS STORIES.

BEING ACCEPTED ON THE SPOT, RECEIVING EIGHT $2500 ACCEPTANCE OF SCHOLARSHIP.

ONE OF MANY PICK YOUR PERFECT MOMENTS AND INVESTMENTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCHOLARS.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>> CALIFORNIA VOTERS WEIGH IN NEXT YEAR ON A LAW AIMED AT IMPROVING WORKING CONDITIONS FOR FAST FOOD EMPLOYEES.

THE MEASURE PASSED THE LEGISLATURE BUT OPPONENTS WANTS TO REFERENDUM.

THE LAW WOULD CREATE A NEW FAST FOOD COUNSEL WHERE LABOR AND COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES WOULD NEGOTIATE ON THE WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS.

CHIPOTLE, STARBUCKS AND IN AND OUT BURGER EACH DONATED $2 MILLION TO STOP THE LOSS FROM TAKING EFFECT AND LET VOTERS DECIDE.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES IS EXPECTING ANOTHER MAJOR EARNINGS LOSS ON A HEEL OF A FINANCIAL HIT.

MIKE VALERIO REPORTS, STEMMING FROM THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL LETDOWN.

>> Reporter: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EXPECTING TO FACE TURBULENT TIMES, THERE QUARTERLY EARNINGS ARE IN THE RED.

>> WE WERE ON TRACK TO REDUCE A HEALTHY THIRD QUARTER PROFIT.

>> Reporter: THE FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS LOSS CAME AFTER THEY CANCELED NEARLY 17,000 FLIGHTS DURING DECEMBER'S HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE AIRLINE ESTIMATES WILL COST THEM AROUND $800 MILLION.

ONCE A COMPANY EXPECTS TO TAKE ANOTHER FINANCIAL HIT, IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023.

EXPECTING IT TO RIPPLE AND TO THE NEW YEAR.

>> I'M PROUD OF OUR PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR NEEDS.

>> Reporter: THEY LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRAVEL MELTDOWN IN THE AIRLINE SAID THAT IS FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

RELEASING A STATEMENT SAYING, WE WILL CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH ANY INQUIRY.

WE ARE ACUTELY FOCUSED ON LEARNING FROM THIS EVENT, MITIGATING THE RISK OF AN OCCURRENCE AND DELIVERING THE HOSPITALITY AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE OUR CUSTOMERS EXPECT FROM US.

>>> LOOKING AHEAD ON OUR WEATHER HEADLINES.

DIVING DOWN THE COAST OVER THE WEEKEND.

RAIN AND SNOW ON THE WAY.

SOME CHILLY TEMPERATURES.

FRIDAY LOOKS PRETTY NICE.

STARTING OFF WITH THE WIND, HIGH WIND ADVISORIES WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENINGS AS THE WIND WILL GIVE WAY.

THERE COULD BE DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAYS.

STAY AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS.

OVERNIGHT, TEMPERATURES WILL DROP DOWN IN THE LOW 40s.

IT WILL BE CHILLY.

HERE THEY LOOK AT OUR TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE 30s, OCEANSIDE AND ESCONDIDO.

HERE IS A CHECK ON THAT FUTURECAST.

SATELLITE AND RADAR, WITH A DRY OFFSHORE FLOW.

YOUR FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, PLEASANT, TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-EXCUSE.

OCEANSIDE WILL BE NEAR 70 IN EL CAJON.

66 IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

ON SATURDAY, THE DRY WEATHER CONTINUES.

THE FLOW STARTING TO TURN OFFSHORE.

MORE THINGS IN THE WAY OF CLOUDS.

BY SUNDAY AND MONDAY THIS COLD FRONT DROPS DOWN INTO THE AREA.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT SOME THUNDERSTORMS PERHAPS IN THE AREA.

A CHANGE FROM SUNDAY INTO MONDAY.

ONCE THE STORM PASSES, A CHILLY DAY HERE ON MONDAY.

WEATHER DETERIORATES ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY THE WET WEATHER.

CHILLY TEMPERATURES.

THE HIGHER TERRAIN THERE WILL BE SOME SIGNIFICANT SNOW.

6 TO 12 INCHES.

TAKING OUT TO THE DESERT, THE WET WEATHER WILL BE WITH US.

SUNDAY INTO MONDAY.

KPBS NEWS.

CHAPTER THE NEWEST RESTAURANT HOTSPOT AND IT IS RUN COMPLETELY BY CULINARY STUDENTS WORKING ON THEIR CAREERS WHILE HELPING THE COMMUNITY.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER , M.G.

PEREZ IS IN THE KITCHEN WHERE OUTDOOR BISTRO IS NOW SERVING.

>> YOU SEE HOW IT IS ALMOST TURNING INTO PEANUT BUTTER?

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT PEANUT BUTTER, JUST THE CREAMY CONSISTENCY OF FLOUR AND FAT TO MAKE WHAT IS CALLED A RUE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO ADD AS A THICKENING AGENT TO OUR CHOWDER.

>> Reporter: ON THE STUDENT CHEFS HERE AT THE CALIFORNIA CULINARY ARTS INSTITUTE IN BARRIO LOGAN.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, HE HAD A JOB SERVING AND HOSTING AT A RESTAURANT.

>> MY EXPERIENCE WITH FOOD WAS MAINLY FRONT OF THE HOUSE, UNTIL COVID STOLE MY JOB AND I DECIDED TO FIND A PURPOSE.

SO I FOUND THAT I AM REALLY GOOD AT THIS.

>> Reporter: HE IS ONE OF A HALF-DOZEN ADVANCED STUDENTS WHO WILL SPEND THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS OF THEIR EXTERNSHIP COOKING AND RUNNING A NEW OUTDOOR BISTRO.

THE BISTRO, IS ON THE PATIO OF THE CULINARY ARTS INSTITUTE ON NATIONAL AVENUE.

THE GROUP OF STUDENTS MUST MANAGE, PURCHASE, COOK AND SERVE CUSTOMERS.

>> WHETHER YOU MAKE TOO MUCH AND YOU ARE WASTING MONEY OR YOU MAKE JUST ENOUGH AND YOU GET IT PERFECT.

THE SCHOOL IS NEW AND WE DON'T HAVE TRAFFIC, IT IS A BALANCING ACT.

>> WHEN YOU SERVE SOMEONE, YOU SERVE THEM WITH LOVE.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS ARE BEING MENTORED BY EXECUTIVE CHEF AND INSTRUCTOR , SOHRAB ZARDKOOHI.

HE STARTED THE SCHOOL AS A BUSINESS, BUT THE BISTRO WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM FOOD SALES ARE DONATED TO HELP THE HOMELESS AND THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

ZARDKOOHI IS EDUCATING HIS STUDENTS IN HOPES THEY WILL PAY IT FORWARD.

>> AS A MANAGER, A CHEF MANAGER, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND THE BACK OF THE HOUSE.

IN THE FUTURE, THEY WANT TO OWN THEIR OWN RESTAURANT, THEY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE.

>> MY PASSION IS FOOD AND I FEEL LIKE IT IS A WAY FOR ME TO -- >> Reporter: SHE NEEDED TO FIND LIFE AGAIN AFTER LOSING HER FAMILY TO COVID, EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED AN ASIAN CUISINE AND COMMITTED TO USING HER TALENT TO DEVELOP FRENCH AND ITALIAN DISHES FOR THE BISTRO.

SHE COOKS IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO SHE LOST.

>> I THINK THEY WOULD BE PROUD OF ME.

I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I AM STILL DOING IT, EVEN THOUGH LIFE IS TOUGH WITHOUT THEM.

>> I WENT TO HAVE THE EGG PLANT PARMESAN.

>> SECOND COURSE.

>> Reporter: IS PAYING CUSTOMERS, KPBS PHOTOGRAPHER AND I HAD LUNCH AT THE BISTRO.

ANGELINA AGUAYO WAS OUR STUDENT WAITRESS WITH A SIMPLE PLAN FOR HER FUTURE.

>> JUST FINDING A GOOD STABLE RESTAURANT TO SET MYSELF OUT AND MAYBE WHEN I RETIRE HAVE A FOOD TRUCK AND TRAVELED THE WORD.

BASIC, BUT I LOVE FOOD AND I LOVE TRAVELING.

>> CHEERS.

>> THE FLAVORS!

IT IS REALLY GOOD.

>> FOR NOW, THE BISTRO AT CALIFORNIA CORONARY ARTS INSTITUTE IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FOR LUNCH FROM 11 A.M. TO 130 P.M.

BUT THE CAREERS TO CULTIVATE IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THE CHEFS AND TRAINING, WANT TO MAKE THIS BISTRO, THE TASTE OF THE TOWN.

>> Reporter: MY COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF.

LET THE KITCHEN KNOW WE ARE VERY HAPPY.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON THEIR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, GOOD NIGHT .